Here are the different roles a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) play in the healthcare system. They not only provide direct patient care through assessments and treatment plans but also play a vital role in education, advocating for mental health awareness, and collaborating with other health professionals to ensure comprehensive patient support.
Psychiatric Role of PMHNPs
- PMHNPs are not psychiatrists, but they provide psychiatric care.
- They have a masters or doctorate degree in nursing with training in psychiatric mental health.
- Qualified to effectively evaluate, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders.
Patient Assessment
- PMHNPs employ a holistic approach for patient assessment.
- They use both physical and psychological methods in their evaluations.
- Create individual treatment plans for psychiatry, psychopharmacology and lifestyle care.
- There are quite a number of states that provide PMHNPs with varying degrees of prescriptive authority to handle medications.
Cooperation and Collaboration
- PMHNPs collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with other health professionals.
- They provide universal coverage for mental health concerns.
- PMHNPs adhere to continued education and actual work in evidenced-based therapies.
To put all together, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners make major contributions to the delivery of mental health care based on their specialized nursing knowledge and advanced practice models, despite not having a psychiatrist’s medical training.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/psychiatric-nurse-practitioner-pmhnp
https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner
https://www.apna.org/about-psychiatric-nursing/
https://ascpp.org/resources/information-for-patients/what-is-psychopharmacology/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopharmacology
https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/clinical-psychopharmacology
https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/nursing-and-health-sciences/resources/what-does-a-psychiatric-nurse-practitioner-do/
https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment
https://mhanational.org/resources/31-tips-to-boost-your-mental-health/
