Should i be a psychiatric nurse practitioner

They see their patients regularly just as a psychiatrist or other mental health professionals would. PMHNPs have been trained to treat mental health patients with a variety of psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. These conditions include:. PMHNPs and psychiatrists have similar roles and responsibilities. The main difference is their educational path.

PMHNPs complete four years of nursing school, while psychiatrists complete four years of medical school. If it is your first time, do some research. You want to make sure they are the right fit. If you have a specific condition, your psychiatrist is out, or you need a medication refill, a PMHNP can provide these services for you. In some cases, seeing a PMHNP may be faster than seeing a psychiatrist because their schedules may vary.

Lastly, nurses have been labeled the most trusted professionals. There is a severe shortage of mental health providers. The U. Department of Health and Human Services reports there will be , fewer mental health providers by the year Factors contributing to this shortage include:. Due to the shortage, treatment is often delayed and vulnerable communities lack adequate access to mental health services.

PMHNPs can improve access to care. 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.

Yes, a psych NP can prescribe medication in 21 states and the District of Columbia without a collaborating physician. One Comment 5 0 0. By: Gilbert Hernandez Nursing as a career path extends far beyond what many may perceive as monotonous, insignificant skill-work, long shifts, and subservience to the orders of doctors and the requests of patients in traditional hospital or office settings. Tags: mental health careers.

One Comment. Learn more here. American Nurse Credentialing Center Retrieved from nursecredentialing. American Psychiatric Nurses Association Retrieved from apna. Centers for Disease Control Suicide Facts at a Glance [Data]. Colton, C. Kessler, R. Job satisfaction for this profession is high, though the career is demanding and may have unique hours and heavy responsibilities. The location where professionals work, the years of experience that they have, and the type of patients they work with all have a direct impact on salary levels.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors MDs or DOs that evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental disorders. Psychiatry is different from what psychiatric nurse practitioners and therapists and psychologists do because to the status as medical doctors, though many of their job responsibilities are similar. A pre-med degree that will help students be prepared for medical school is usually ideal for those who hope to become psychiatrists.

Students then will need to complete a residency program focused on psychiatry. Medical students need to get licensed and board-certified in psychiatry before they can practice, and board certification in psychiatry means ongoing education requirements to continue practicing in many states.

Psychiatrists work with patients who suffer from mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They perform psychiatric evaluations, develop treatment plans, prescribe medicine, and continue to work with patients to adjust treatments and continue to help. Psychiatrists can work in all kinds of settings like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health care settings.

Psychiatrists work to help patients through all kinds of mental and emotional issues, and are a vital element of the healthcare field. Mental health is an increasingly important and concerning epidemic facing the United States.

Mental health disorders are becoming some of the largest health risks, so psychiatrists are needed to help patients and continue to research how to overcome these diseases. Job satisfaction is generally high, though there are many difficult and emotional elements that can take a toll on professionals.