If you get an FNP, can you later work in mental health field?

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Aug 16, 2010

I personally know of two of my friends, both ANPs and they work in mental health. Now, they did a rotation in mental health and usually are the "prescribers" and perform more of the monitoring of the psychotropics vs just purely psychotherapy. Not sure I could do this.

I know as well, one of them had a rather comfortable back ground in mental health as an RN and the other ran an outpatient substance abuse/detox clinic for years. So, I guess you could say they had a leg up on more than the average ANP (like me). Honestly, beyond Buspar, SSRIs and Effexor refills, I feel like a lifeboat in the ocean when it comes to mental health. I'll stay on land thank you! PMHNPs are worth their weight in gold :)

Good luck, I'd look into a Mental health rotation, bet you could combine the two!

t2krookie · Aug 17, 2010

I'd be wary of such thoughts in scope of practice. While the FNP is trained to handle your basic anxiety and non-complicated(non refractory) depression, there is little to no training in the vast majority of mental illnesses that will likely require psych services. Bipolars & Schizophrenics can be mixed and become quiet complicated requiring a whole lot of medication adjustments that can take years not to mention the change in response to medications that occurs. In the states I am familiar with (Oregon, Montana,Ohio and Texas), FNP/ANPs cannot diagnose beyond the simplest two mentioned above and are used only in the capacity of refill and physicals. Lab values and symptomology are very different and intertwined. (corrections are welcome as always).

Trueblood83 · Aug 18, 2010

Thank you both for the information!!! :yeah:

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 19, 2010

Hello all,
I've made the decision that I want to apply for a nurse practitioner program. I am torn between FNP and MHNP. My question is if I go through school for FNP, could I later practice in the mental health field? Or would I need to return to school to become a MHNP. If I would need to return to school, would it take as long to obtain an MHNP after already getting an FNP? Basically, would there be a fast track route for it? Thanks to all in advance!:redpinkhe

I believe this depends on the state. I know that in Texas, we're required to be certified as a Psych NP or CNS in order to work in the mental health field. Actually, I'm surprised that any BON would allow a FNP to work in mental health considering the fact that we didn't train in that area. I have a friend who is a Psych NP and all of her training pertains to mental health. I refer patients to her all the time, because I'm not licensed to provide this service to my patients. Even though I have a strong psych background as a RN, I was only trained to treat short term (mild) depression and situational anxiety as a FNP.

As far as getting a post-graduate certification in another specialty, you may not have to repeat some of the core classes, such as physical assessment, ethics, theory, etc. But you will most definitely have to take all the courses pertaining to psych. You will also have to complete a minimum of 500 hours in a mental health care setting before taking the exam.

Of note, it is difficult to get credentialed with any insurance companies, other than Medicare or Medicaid if you are a Psych NP. My friend has her own practice and she wasn't able to get credentialed with any of the insurance companies except for Medicare and Medicaid. However, most patients have a higher copay for specialty visits (usually around $50) and that's what my friend charges per visit. She has done very well with a "cash only" practice.