Can a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner have her own psychotherapy practice in NJ?

[Kitty]

Hi all. I am an RN thinking about going back to school to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner with the goal of having my own private practice in NJ delivering psychotherapy to patients. Has anyone done this? Can this be done in NJ? Thanks for your help.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I googled....check FAQ #7 here, it may answer your question:

http://www.njsna.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=543&printpage=true

Are APNs considered to be Independent Licensed Practitioners/Providers in New Jersey?

Answer:

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in the state of New Jersey (currently including nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists) are considered licensed independent practitioners/providers, that is, health care providers who can provide care without direct supervision. APNs are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and work under statutes and regulations operationalized through the Board of Nursing. APNs are required to have a joint protocol with a collaborating (not supervising) physician for the purposes of prescribing drugs and devices only. This joint protocol must be updated at least annually and signed by both the APN and the collaborating physician. The joint protocol specifically allows that the APN and the collaborating physician can maintain communication through electronic devices; on-site presence is not required. An APN's records are not required to be co-signed. Furthermore, an APN can perform all other aspects of her practice without a joint protocol; this include taking histories, performing physical examinations, managing acute and chronic illness, ordering lab and diagnostic tests and ordering (or performing) treatments and referrals. An APN is both ethically and legally responsible for all the care that he or she provides. The responsibility for that care does not reside with a supervising physician.

The language of APN statutes and regulations like all statutes and regs does not state what is not required; it only states what is required so in this case, it speaks of collaboration (not supervision) relative to the joint protocol for prescribing.

The language of other state regulations have begun to explain the inclusion of APNs as health care providers in various areas of law when describing them as licensed independent practitioners. A recent example: an adoption of DHS Division of Mental Services, Short Term Care Facilities Standards (N.J.A.C. 10:37G), July 2, 2007, included advanced practice nurses (along with physicians, psychologists and licensed clinical social workers) in Definitions: 10:37G-1.2: "Licensed Independent Practitioner" meaning those who can provide services "without direct supervision."

Sometimes the requirements for APNs and Physician Assistants are confused since they may perform similar functions. However, PAs are licensed and regulated by the Board of Medical Examiners and their laws do require that they work under the direct supervision of a physician, utilizing a general practice agreement and that their records be co-signed.

[Kitty]

Thank you!