mental health certification for nurse practitioner

If you want to work as a psych NP, you need to be certified as either an Adult or Family PMHNP or CNS. FNP, ANP, PNP, etc is not sufficient and it is becoming increasingly difficult for non-psych NPs to work in this capacity as in the past. More employers are requiring certification and more BONs are becoming more stringent with regard to scope of practice. In my PMHNP program, there were 3 FNPs and 1 ANP doing a psych post-master's because the agencies where they worked were psych settings and were now requiring PMHNP certification in order to be reimbursed. This is no different than medicine. You don't see Family Practice physicians or Internists working in psych hospitals other than conducting H&Ps. Sure they prescribe many psych meds as part of typical outpatient practice, but they don't work exclusively in psych.

As far as re-training, go the post-master's route and get it done prior to 2015. You'll be grandfathered in and won't need to get a DNP unless you want one.

You don't need the DNP. Only new NPs will need to have the DNP starting in 2015, but if you have completed your NP training prior to that, you will be grandfathered in and your ability to practice will not be affected in any way.

In your situation, the most efficient thing to do is get the PMHNP post-master's. You'll then be eligible to take the PMNHP certification exam, and you'll be good to go. You can do this in one year at many programs.

I am doing this right now. I chose University of South Alabama after searching for a long time. I started in August 08 and will graduate in Dec 09. Other than one (very pleasant) trip to Mobile Alabama it is all online. They are great to work with.

As for why to do it. In my state an FNP can practice solely in mental health, however according to SBON they can't do therapy (and can't bill for it) and can't testify for commitment. They are allowed to do medication management only. And at the same time I know FNPs working in mental health centers that are doing the therapy part, but if anything happens (and we all know how legal suits happen in psych) they will have no leg to stand on. Or if someone finds out they are billing for services they are not allowed to provide....can you say $$$ mess?

And as mentioned in previous posts, eventually one will have to provide proof of certification to work in speciality areas.

http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/postmsn.html

Good luck!

you can't get certification without 500 hours (I think it was 500 when I certified, in 2001) of supervised clinical experience--does the online program provide that? if not, I'd question its value.

Yes, actually I have 600 hours to do. I set up clinicals in my area. It must be with a person (NP or MD) that is working in psych and is a prescriber. I have to do at least 20% of that time with children and adolescents. I will be doing in-patient, outpatient kids and adults.

I'm glad you are getting what you need, ruralnurs!

I heard they put out good graduates.