Any psych NPs out there?

Wren54 · Apr 8, 2008

Yes? You have questions?

disneydiva21 · Apr 8, 2008

What setting do you work in ?

what is an usual day like as a psych NP?

KIYANA

Yes? You have questions?

RN007 · Apr 8, 2008

Yes? You have questions?

Yes, thanks. I was really hoping to connect w/someone out there. How were your classes and in what setting did you do clinicals? And how are you practicing now?

Wren54 · May 5, 2008

Hello, sorry it's taken me a while to get back-

Psych NP's get a master's in their specialty and sit for a certification exam. We can do mental health assessments, therapy and medication prescriptions. Many Psych NP's work in community mental health centers, where they mostly do medication management. Therapy sessions do not pay as well, so these centers hire licensed social workers to provide therapy for clients. However, many NP's are interested in providing therapy, and so many will move to private practice to have this opportunity.

I don't see many Psych NP's working in acute hospital settings, which is too bad as we are an underutilized resource in this setting. Psych NP's are also needed at schools of nursing to help mentor students in these settings.

I hope this helps, good luck.

BSN_DEC_2006 · Jul 30, 2008

Do you know where the psych/mental health nurse practitioner job market is in high demand?* I'm currently looking into where/which graduate school to apply for with the psych/mental health np cert.* Thanks.*

Jo Dirt · Jul 31, 2008

You don't have to be a licensed psychologist to provide therapy? Or, are you not talking about the same thing as counseling? I would love to do grief therapy, and this has made me torn between a NP and psychologist.