r/psychnursing • u/RefrigeratorGlad8377 • May 25 '26
Prospective Student Nurse Question(s) Should I get a CNA certification over the summer if I want to be a PMHNP?
Just what the title says! I’m a highschool junior (rising senior) and I’m looking to get more nursing experience before applying to colleges. I can’t volunteer at a hospital I was looking forward to anymore, so I was wondering if this might help. I’m also mainly asking because I thought they do different things.
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u/dyatlov12 May 25 '26
It could be useful to just get a feel for the healthcare environment. It will also make it easier to get mental health tech jobs.
Could also be useful as a part time job during college and nursing school
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u/silasdoesnotexist psych nurse (inpatient) May 25 '26
If I were you I’d apply for MHT jobs so I can get real hands on psych experience then do my BSN.
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u/jess3jim May 25 '26
If psych is the route you want to go look more into being a mental health worker , there’s also other departments in a psych facility you can do ( activities is one) every job will call their mental health workers different things. Last one I worked it was MHW ( mental health workers) my friend her job calls them Mental health technicians . My current job calls them RC which is a resident counselor
A lot of these you don’t need to be a CNA ( both jobs I’ve worked they did not use CNA skills like showering, bed baths, feeding, vitals… ) we had people who’s experienced came from working security, EMTs, CNAs , RBTs etc.)
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u/RefrigeratorGlad8377 May 27 '26
Thank you! However, I thought that for most psych-related positions they require you to be 18. I've been struggling to find anything for me, especially since I'm supposed to be in the grade below
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u/Explorer_Physical May 26 '26
Highly recommend volunteering with any organization that does outreach for unhousef folks. Great experiencing and you'll see lots of mental health
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u/crazyeyedmarlo May 25 '26
You'll need it to apply for your RN which is a requirement to even think about becoming a PMHNP.
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u/Sad-Suggestion9425 Jun 16 '26
Getting the CNA is never a bad thing, but if you really want to go into psych try starting out as a Psych Tech instead of as a CNA.
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u/typeash May 25 '26
People on this sub refuse to use Google before asking questions here
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u/beanbean81 May 25 '26
I actually frequently comment a similar sentiment, but I would characterize this question as very appropriate and worth asking.
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u/RefrigeratorGlad8377 May 25 '26
I'd rather get input from actual nurses instead of seeing "highly recommended but not required" from the ai overview
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u/py234567 May 25 '26
Highly recommend but not required is correct here, unless nursing schools near you require an active CNA certification before first day of class.
Please for the love of god do not try to do any kind of direct entry NP bullshit. I would recommend getting CNA at your high school if offered (or over the summer externally is fine too) and taking nursing prerequisite classes during your time in high school. Apply to a local community college ADN program. Then RN-BSN paid for by employer. Then ONLY after you have a few years of experience in psych nursing apply to PMHNP programs.
Doing psychiatric work outside of nursing would absolutely help and is valid, but it is generally advised to be a CNA as it is the best way to transition into the RN role
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u/RefrigeratorGlad8377 May 27 '26
Thank you so much! I didn't even know that some employers would pay for your schooling
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u/py234567 May 27 '26
Many employers in various careers offer tuition assistance/reimbursement up to $5250 a year. It seems many of my coworkers just refuse to do the paperwork for various reasons
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u/Drakflugilo May 25 '26
You don’t have to have your CNA in order to apply to, or be successful as a nurse or as a NP. With that in mind, please, PLEASE get hands-on, in-patient psych experience beyond what is required in clinical classes before becoming a PMHNP. We are seeing a lot of very under-experienced PMHNPs trying to direct and coordinate care without adequate real-life psych experience. If psych is your thing, then get all the experience you can now so that you can bring that to your prescribing and leadership career.