Family vs. Adult PMHNP

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in ER, ICU.

I am currently in the process of applying to graduate programs for Mental Health NP. My interests within this field lie in PTSD, rape, and eating disorders. I have been trying to find what the difference in my practice would be between the Family and Adult specialties. I have done multiple searches and can't find anything that tells me what the benefits and drawbacks would be between these two. Any guidance would be great! Thanks!

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As an Adult PMHNP I can treat ages 13 and up. By choice our unit treats ages 18 and up. Other than that I didn't have to take a 2 credit hour course on child-related diagnoses or do clinical with rugrats.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Thank you Zenman! That is exactly what I needed to know. I understood that adult PMHNPs could work with adolescence to adults but there was no clear age stated. Appreciate the quick response.

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No doubt. Choose Family PMHNP! The Adult PMHNP certification will be retired in 2014.

I am looking to go back to transition to Family PMHNP. There is a benefit of being able to treat all ages especially in a community health center.. sometimes you just can't avoid seeing kid...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I hadn't heard that the Adult PMHNP was being discontinued. Are they retiring the child PMHNP as well and combining them into the Family PMHNP?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I hadn't heard that the Adult PMHNP was being discontinued. Are they retiring the child PMHNP as well and combining them into the Family PMHNP?

The Adult and Child PMHNP tracks are "casualties" of the APRN Consensus Model due for implementation in 2015. Psych NP tracks are being combined as one Family PMHNP. The CNS track is also headed the same direction.

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Looks like Family PMHNP may be the way to go for anyone entering the field, as a way to avoid collateral damage of the pending changes.

I'm entering my accelerated BSN program now (BS in biology, working in reproductive medicine lab currently)...would anyone be willing offer me some insights into the world of mental health nursing? So far most of what I've read has been about state facilities, how dangerous patients are, dont let them get between you and the door, etc. etc. and while that's fascinating, I have no personal desires to work in that sort of environment.

I'm more curious of the dynamics of the patient interaction. With your PMHNP are you able to have a sit down and try to delve into the patients connection (or lack thereof) with reality, underlying mechanisms, trigger points, and explore the state of their psyche? Behavioral science and cognition has always been a passion of mine, so I'm very interested in what you all have to say. Thanks!

-Dave

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As an Adult PMHNP I can treat ages 13 and up.

I also heard 18+. 13+ or 18+? Which one is correct? It's important to tell potential employer so we can set the legal limit.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I think it depends on your state nurse practice act. NH wants your education and your certification to match. MA allows nurses to assume accountability for their practice and has guidelines to consider on their BON site.. This is all I've looked into so far. I am an adult CNS and am grateful for my limited child and adolescent experience. Some states seem to think of psych as the population. Or adult starting at specific ages.. ie13.. or 18..

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MA allows nurses to assume accountability for their practice and has guidelines to consider on their BON site..

Are you in MA? What is the guideline and recommended legal limit for MA?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

My certification is in a specialty different than the job I am working in, is that okay?

The Board does not grant you authority to practice in a specific specialty. The Board grants you authorization to practice in a specific domain of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing. Those domains include Nurse Practitioner (RN/NP), Nurse Midwife (RN/NM), Nurse Anesthetist (RN/NA), and Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (RN/PC). Your specialty certification is a measurement of your competency to provide services to a certain population. The decision to work with a population different than what you are certified in should be based on whether you are competent to provide services to a population different than your certification, whether you are willing to assume accountability for the outcomes, and whether you are in collaborative relationship with a supervising physician who holds the proper credentials to care for that population.

This is from the frequently asked questions section on the MA BON site.. It gives the BON interpretation of the Nurse Practice Act. I like that it gives the APRN the decision about their competency but MA does require physician supervision. I have found physician supervision helpful but it can also be hard finding one.

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