lucianne

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1. Why is Psych NP not as popular of a choice?

   lucianne replied to rd290's topic in Psychiatric

   Sssshhhh! Don't let the secret out...

2. Help us end the collaborative agreement requirement!!

   lucianne replied to buster4's topic in NP

   The original poster is referring to Kentucky and HB 282 seeks to remove the collaborative practice agreement for non-scheduled drugs, not controlled substances. Those will still require a collaborative agreement. At least in Kentucky, the essence of ...

3. What do Mental Health NP's do?

   lucianne replied to SnowShoeRN's topic in NP

   First of all, psych NPs DON'T throw meds at people. They prescribe appropriate medications for disorders that cannot be treated by therapy alone, for people who are not good candidates for therapy, or for whom therapy is not available. If you pursue ...

4. Psych NP - peds

   lucianne replied to RN007's topic in NP

   That isn't a universal practice. One of the places I did my clinicals was a community mental health clinic and they were thrilled to have someone who was willing to see children (and I ended up working there after graduation). Of course, I had to hav...

5. Psych Nurse Practitioner

   lucianne replied to LeavingTeaching4RN's topic in Psychiatric

   There is a national shortage of psychiatrists and the demand for psych NPs is high in many areas. If your local schools have closed admissions for PMHNPs, it may be because they don't have the faculty to teach the courses or the preceptors for clinic...

6. Nursing intervention for schizophrenic patient having sex?

   lucianne replied to robinslapsRN's topic in Psychiatric

   You may not think sex is important to mental health and that it is a luxury and not a need, but I strongly disagree and I can guarantee you that a significant number of your patients (and colleagues) will disagree as well. If you are not discussing s...

7. Bipolar Disorder and Incontinence

   lucianne replied to DAJ20's topic in Psychiatric

   I've had one other patient who took lithium and had trouble with nocturnal incontinence. He had a host of other issues besides bipolar disorder so I never felt that the incontinence was entirely due to medication. It also wasn't constant and seemed t...

8. Psych Nursing vs. Occupational Therapy

   lucianne replied to RosePMHNP's topic in Psychiatric

   I've never been an occupational therapist, so I have no idea how it would compare to being a psych NP. I love being a psych NP, probably get paid more than an OT, have flexibility and autonomy, and get lots of respect from colleagues and patients. I'...

9. A slight twist on our stigma

   lucianne replied to PMHNP10's topic in Psychiatric

   I've never had anyone get belligerent about being "analyzed" or diagnosed, but some people have been a little uncomfortable when they find out I'm a psych NP. If they say anything that suggests they are uncomfortable, I smile and tell them I only dia...

10. Psych nurse practitioner

    lucianne replied to bumblebeegaga's topic in NP Students

    A psych NP student that I precepted last semester has had 3 job offers so far and she certainly doesn't have any inside track anywhere. She has been working with a recruiter, but even other members of her graduating class who aren't are doing well fi...

11. Is there any work for psych nurses?

    lucianne replied to Anise1's topic in Psychiatric

    Anise, in my opinion there should be a growing demand for nurses who are willing to work geropsych. However, you should realize that there is a great deal of "other" nursing involved in working with all psychiatric patients, but especially the geriat...

12. Is there any work for psych nurses?

    lucianne replied to Anise1's topic in Psychiatric

    In the U.S. you must complete a general nursing degree covering all areas of nursing. I believe other countries may do things differently.

13. Sleep Hygiene

    lucianne replied to BSN_DEC_2006's topic in Psychiatric

    From Merriam-Webster Online dictionary: Hygiene 1: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health 2: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health. So while "hygiene" may encompass cleanliness it is not limited to it.

14. Torn between FNP or PHMNP

    lucianne replied to HumptyDumpty's topic in NP

    Madglee--there isn't a certification for child/adolescent PMHNPs, only family PMHNPs and adult PMHNPs. The advantage to the family PMHNP is that you can treat all ages. Unless someone was adamant they didn't want to treat children or adolescents, I t...

15. How do you feel about the NP "haters"?

    lucianne replied to Purple_Scrubs's topic in NP

    I just laugh. If they don't want to be treated by NPs, then fine with me. I've got PLENTY of patients and most of my patients really, really like me. I've had patients who have requested transfers from a psychiatrist to me. A few patients have prefer...