Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The nursing role I anticipate achieving is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I have always had this in mind, even when I was obtaining my BSN. I realized it was really something that I wanted to pursue when I started working with veterans. They have given me an opportunity to hear their stories on a daily basis. Veterans do not really like to seek help because they want to be looked at as tough, but they give the ultimate sacrifice and put their lives on the line. They see and hear things that we will never see in our lifetime. Not only do veterans deal with mental health issues, but there are so many individuals dealing with mental health issues, whether shown it or not, it is increasing. According to an article about Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Cleary (2025) wrote, “The need for mental health care has never been more pressing with geopolitical conflict, trauma, and fallout from the pandemic, among other factors.” I had a very close friend, who was a coworker and nurse, taking his own life, he was only 26 years old. He was the happiest person I knew and a jokester. We worked through the pandemic together, working long shifts together. It opened my eyes to the reality of how important mental health is, and another reason why I am furthering my education in mental health nursing.
When it comes to where I might practice post-graduation, I want to have multiple options instead of being set in a certain kind of position, in the case it doesn’t work. At my facility, there is a PMHNP residency program that is 12 months, as an option. I also want the option of going straight into the working field by finding some kind of private practice that offers in-person appointments and telehealth appointments. Although I consider myself to live in Louisville, KY, I live about 35 minutes from downtown Louisville and in my area, there are not many places for mental health and I eventually want to open my own practice, but I have much to learn until that time comes.
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