Expanded Scope Of Practice
Many states aligned with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand Advanced Practice Registered Nurse practice flexibility, including relaxing physician supervision mandates. These changes allow the PMHNP to practice to the full extent of their certificationindependently counsel patients, prescribe medications, and consult without physician oversight.
Recommendations For The 2020 2030 Future Of Nursing Panel
First and foremost, this paper posits that in the current context of the crisis of mental health care facing children and adolescents, the role of the PMHNP must change. Then, it calls for both theoretical and practical shifts to better service children and adolescents with mental health issues.
As the next Future of Nursing panel convenes, we recommend the following actions:
The Role Of A Pmhnp And Why Its Important
View all blog posts under Articles | View all blog posts under Online Master of Science In Nursing
Mental health providers are recognizing the vital role that PMHNPs can play in closing the gap in the availability of mental health services. According to a report from the American Psychiatric Association, only 44% of adults and 20% of children and adolescents in the U.S. receive mental health care and substance use help they need.
The high demand for the services of PMHNPs reflects their growing role in the mental health profession. Professionals who are interested in entering this field would do well to consider programs such as an online Master of Science in Nursing.
Recommended Reading: Regis University Nurse Practitioner Program
At The Forefront Of Mental Health Care
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses promote mental health in a variety of ways, including:
- Helping children exposed to traumatic and adverse events.
- Working with soldiers returning from combat operations.
- Helping older adults with Alzheimers Disease or dementia.
- Supporting teens and adults living with serious mental illness.
- Treating and counseling those working to recover from opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders.
- Creating and researching new interventions for persons experiencing suicidal thoughts
In Brief: Comparing Psychiatric Nps And Psychiatrists
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Practice Settings | While work settings tend to overlap for both types of practitioners, psychiatric NPs are most likely to work in hospitals or mental health clinics. | More than half of psychiatrists work in private practice, although many work in the same settings as psychiatric NPs such as outpatient clinics, correctional facilities, addiction treatment centers, and inpatient hospitals. |
Don’t Miss: Do All Nursing Schools Require The Teas Test
Pursue Psychiatric Mental Health Certification And Nurse Practitioner Licensure
To apply for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner board certification , practitioners must earn their graduate degree and have 500 supervised hours working as a PMHNP. The PMHNP-BC examination, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center , provides a valid and reliable assessment of clinical knowledge and skills.
Each state nursing board establishes its own specific psychiatric nurse practitioner requirements for licensure in addition to certification. PMHNPs can apply for licensure through their state board of nursing once all qualifications have been met.
Why Become A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide mental health services to patients. After testing and evaluation, a psychiatric nurse will administer a mental health healing plan that might include therapy and medication. Consider the broad impact of the work of psychiatric nurses. They directly improve the lives of people with acute and chronic mental health disorders like depression, PTSD, behavioral disorders, and anxiety. Their work also reaches patients communities by increasing awareness and providing education on managing and treating these common mental health problems. Why become a psychiatric mental health nurse? About one in five adult Americans need you.
Also Check: Home Health Nurse Roles And Responsibilities
Who Are Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
In a nutshell, psychiatric nurses assess and look after the mental health needs of individuals, families, groups, or communities. They diagnose and treat mental illnesses with a broad range of solutions including psychotherapy and prescription medication. The positions available to psychiatric nurses are varied, from consulting with corporations to private practice.
All psychiatric nurses must be Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and hold a degree in psychiatric mental health. To practice in the US, professionals must also be certified as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners by the American Nurses Credentialing Center .
Where Do Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Work
After completing a master’s or doctoral level program for psychiatry, psychiatric NPs can explore job opportunities across many settings, including private practices, corporations, and correctional facilities.
Psychiatric NPs can also consult with businesses and communities, providing a range of services. Depending on state practice laws, they can establish their own private practice. They would need to research the requirements needed to be an effective business and draw up financial plans.
Psychiatric NPs can focus their careers anywhere that allows them to evaluate patients, diagnose, implement treatment plans, and order diagnostic testing to monitor treatment for patients dealing with mental illnesses.
Also Check: Nursing Schools In Denver Colorado
What Does A Pmhnp Do
Some of the duties that a PMHNP could take on include:
- Create healthcare plans, based on outpatient or home-based care for acute or chronic mental health care conditions
- Provide consultations
- Prescribe medications per their state laws
- Prescribe and offer various treatments, such as psychotherapy, medication therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.
- Work alongside doctors for referrals and to provide patient care
- Participate and/or initiate research
- Education on mental health disorders
- Contribute to policy development, quality improvement, practice evaluation, and healthcare reform
Job Growth For Nurse Practitioners
52% through 2030
Much faster growth than all other careers, according to the BLS.
The BLS doesnt compile salaries specifically for psychiatric nurse practitioners but reports nurse practitioners in general earned an average annual salary of $111,680 as of May 2020. Salaries range from $84,120 for those in the lowest 10% of their field, to $190,900 for those in the highest earning bracket.
You May Like: Colleges With Good Nursing Programs In Texas
Alleviating The Mental Health Provider Shortage
There is a severe shortage of mental health providers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports there will be 250,000 fewer mental health providers by the year 2025. Factors contributing to this shortage include:
- Lack of federal funding
- Time it takes to complete a program
- Retiring psychiatrists and nurses
- Lack of skilled, advance educated providers
To meet the demand, PMHNPs are perfectly positioned to fill the need. Due to the shortage, treatment is often delayed and vulnerable communities lack adequate access to mental health services. PMHNPs can improve access to care.
The National Academy of Medicine and the ANCC recognize that in order to improve access to mental health services, PMHNPs should practice to the fullest extent. This means lifting all barriers PMHNPs face when caring for mental health patients.
How To Become A Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors and must attend medical school to earn an MD or a DO. Prospective psychiatrists begin by earning an undergraduate degree, completing a residency, and gaining board certification.
Earn a bachelorâs degree
Pass the Medical College Admission Test
Earn an MD or a DO
Complete a residency program in psychiatry
Earn and maintain license and board certification
Recommended Reading: Online Nursing Programs In Ms
Distribution Is A Problem
Maldistribution of medical professionals is a problem in addition to actual shortages. Rural and inner city areas are frequently designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the U.S. Health Services and Resources Administration. The administration reports over 6,200 shorage areas for primary care in the nation and 3,291 for mental health, according to a December 2011 report from nationwide physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins. Over 65 million people live in those HPSAs, in which the ratio of primary care providers to patients is less than 1 to 2,000. Physicians tend to prefer to practice in urban areas rather than rural areas, and Merritt Hawkins reports only 1 percent of final-year medical residents want to practice in communities of 10,000 or less.
The Future Of Mental Healthcare
Approximately 56 million Americans experience some form of mental illness and/or substance use challenges. President Biden’s budget plan allocates the largest-ever amount of funding for gender-based violence and the opioid crisis. PMHNPs, more than ever, are in the best position to shape the future of mental healthcare in America.
Don’t Miss: Nursing Homes In West Des Moines Ia
The Number Of Employed Practitioners In The Us
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners , there are over 222,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the US as of 2016. Out of this figure, only 2.4 percent have specialized in psychiatric or mental health practice for adults, while three percent handle family-related cases. In total, about 11,988 nurse practitioners currently focus on psychiatric and mental health cases.
With the increasing demand for these professionals across the country, this field has much potential for growth and has already started to experience an exponential increase in demand.
Demand For Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Psychiatric nursing was one of the most sought-after nursing specialties in 2019, with approximately 13,000 positions available. As mental health service utilization grows, health care employers will need trained professionals capable of working with complex patient cases. Gaining certifications in psychiatric nursing can help you stand out from the competition and qualify for in-demand roles.
Read Also: Top Nursing Schools In Florida
Further Defined Patient Populations
In addition to the traditional patient groups, COVID-19 defined the patient population into focused groups to monitor pandemic effects and needs. In the beginning, the elderly population were quickly identified as an at-risk group. Then, the pandemic revealed the health disparities among underserved populations, shedding light on this chronic problem in health care.
Throughout the pandemic, additional patient populations were identified and assessed for risk of increased mental health needs or substance abuse. These groups included: health care workers, school-aged children and teens, university students, the homeless population, and the institutionalized. The expansion of these societal groups provides a detailed assessment of physical, emotional, and support needs.
Building A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Career: All That You Need To Know
If you are currently seeking psychiatric nurse practitioner opportunities, you can apply for jobs at DirectShifts. We have 42 open positions for PMHNPs in various states. Click on the links below to explore vacancies and apply.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who are licensed to assess and diagnose mental health conditions. They prescribe medicines, provide therapy and a range of services to care for patients suffering from mental health conditions. Since they receive specialized training on the diagnosis of medical disorders associated with psychiatric symptoms, they cannot be replaced by other APRNs.
The global pandemic has significantly increased the demand for PMHNPs in the country. In this article, we discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for PMHNPs to establish a flourishing career.
Don’t Miss: Public Health Nurse Certificate Programs California
Todays Mental Health Needs
A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is licensed and nationally board certified to provide psychiatric care for patients with mental illness. The current nationwide mental health crisis has created a wide range of psychiatric needs in contemporary healthcare.
Mental health disorders are diagnosed following the standards of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . This extensive reference book, widely considered authoritative, was developed by the American Psychiatric Association in collaboration with leading scientists and practitioners. The most current version, the DSM-5, includes a broad range of diagnosable mental health issues such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Disruptive behavior
- Trauma-related disorder
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has specifically studied the pervasiveness of mental health disorders among teens. The HHS statistics identify the most frequently occurring conditions in adolescence. Affect this percentage of teens:
| Disorder | |
|---|---|
| Eating disorders | 3% |
The broad category of Any Mental Illness includes mental health conditions from mild to severe in scope. The subset Serious Mental Illness identifies AMI patients whose condition intensely affects life in one or more significant ways.
Online Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Master of Science in Nursing
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, 37% of Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner , youll be in demand as you deliver patient-centered, holistic care to patients with psychiatric disorders. Through this online PMHNP program, youll further develop the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver mental health care to patients across the life span, making a positive impact on the health of your patients and the health of your communities.
Prepare for a career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Flexible online classes with 24/7 access
- 15-week psychiatric nursing courses
- 95% passage rate for all nursing programs on national certification exams
- Become eligible to sit for the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ANCC Certification Exam
Also Check: St Thomas University Nurse Practitioner
What Are The Job Duties For Each Role
The psychiatric nurse practitioner and the psychiatrists job duties are the same. The only real difference between each role is the fact that in some states nurse practitioners need to work under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, psychiatric nurse practitioners hold prescriptive privileges in all 50 states and DC. The scope of their practice depends on the state they live in.
There are three categories that an NP can fall under: full practice , reduced practice and restricted practice.
In the states with full practice authority, the PNPs do not have to work under a doctors supervision. In the reduced and restricted states, PNPs must comply with and get a doctor to sign off on specific patient care decisions.
Psychiatrists and PNPs perform the following tasks:
- Diagnose and treat common acute psychiatric problems
- Provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy
- Educate clients on wellness practices
- Check the patients medical state and refer to a medical specialist if necessary
- Work with healthcare team to provide comprehensive support for clients
Both roles treat the following disorders and illnesses:
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/Attention deficit disorder
- Substance abuse
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Panic disorders
Again, the only real difference here depends on the scope of practice for the PNP. In many states, they have full authority.
One What Is A Psychiatric Mental
Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioners, also known as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, are nurse practitioners that specialize in the treatment of mental health. They assess and diagnose patients suffering from mental illnesses, disorders, and substance abuse problems. They are involved in psychotherapy, can prescribe medication, educate patients and families about their diagnosis, and manage their treatment plans.
They focus on helping individuals cope with different psychiatric disorders and illnesses as well as help people with substance abuse disorders.
In this guide, well explain what a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner does, how much they make, how to become one, and more.
Also Check: Road To Becoming A Nurse Practitioner
Accelerated Msn Psychiatric Np Programs
Who is it right for? Those with anon-nursing bachelors degree
Many graduate nursing programs also allow you to enroll directly if you have your RN license and a bachelors in a non-nursing-related field.
Some schools may also accept non-nurses with bachelors degrees to fast-track them into a masters program by the end of the program, you will have earned your RN and be eligible to sit for the NP certifying exam as well.
How Hard Is It To Become A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Most nursing students find graduate-level coursework more difficult than a BSN curriculum and the clinical rotations more intensive. Because many students return to graduate school while maintaining full-time employment, they may face challenges managing the academic workload, fast-paced course schedules, and writing expectations.
Don’t Miss: Masters In Nursing Programs For Non Nurses
License And Certification Differences
Both psychiatric nurses practitioners and psychiatrists must be licensed to practice. Psychiatric NPs must hold an active RN license to qualify for graduate-level or doctoral programs.
Psychiatrists can seek certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology once they meet the education, training, and experience requirements. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers certification for psychiatric NPs. Both credentials are optional and exam based.
Scope of practice can also differ among states. Some states, like North Carolina, limit what psychiatric nurses practitioners may do and require psychiatrist supervision or collaboration with a psychiatrist. In states like Washington, psychiatric nurses practitioners can practice autonomously with all of the same duties as psychiatrists.
What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner is a fantastic choice, whether you are early on in your nursing studies and thinking about the future, or youve already achieved a bachelors degree and are looking for the next advancement step. Helping people improve their psychiatric state is fulfilling, and contributes to bettering the global culture around mental health jobs. While the BLS shows that nurse practitioners make on average, $111,680 annually, Indeed found that PMHNPs specifically make a base salary of $145,154 annually, calculated from an average of 1.8k reported salaries. Not to mention, becoming a PMHNP offers job stability due to the continuously increasing demand for mental health services.
To become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, youll need to complete an advanced nursing practice program such as Goodwin Universitys PMHNP-APRN degree. Our relevant curriculum, offered at the masters level, will support your daily work with patients. Best of all, you can complete this 50-credit curriculum almost exclusively from the comfort of your home, with an online education. Increased flexibility means that you can multi-task and prioritize in ways that work best for you! Log on to these engaging classes:
You May Like: Nursing Homes Lake Geneva Wi