FNP working in psych

[Combative]

Greetings fellow NP’s and colleagues,

I am an AANP certified FNP working in New Jersey. For the last 3 years, I have worked full time at an urgent care center. I love my job and I’m very happy with my income and work-life balance. Recently, a friend who is a PMHNP, asked me if I wanted to pick up some extra time in her office and see psych patients who have been referred from sub acute/rehab settings, primary care offices, and/or group homes. I would take the “lightest” cases; things like anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc. Is there any legal pitfalls I need to be aware of given the fact that I would be seeing purely psych patients as a family NP? Everyone I’ve talked to locally has said no but I would love the insight and advice of this forum.

Thank you in advance,

Combative NP-C

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

There are risks. See link below and be informed, and how much risk you take is up to you. Be cautious about the promise of getting the "lightest" cases. Sub-acute can easily turn into a acute or worse.

https://www.npjournal.org/article/S1555-4155(18)31013-4/fulltext

[Combative]

Excellent article, and pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I will have to decline the offer. There are far too many risks, as I thought there would be. It's sad, because I'm good with this population and I know I could improve care and outcomes for many, as meeting psychiatric needs of patients is always in high demand. However, we need to protect our licenses too. Thanks for the reply.

[verene, MSN]

Would this be to see them in "psych" capacity or to be an FNP and help address medical issues in this setting? I worked for a sub-acute setting as an RN where we had an FNP would would help manage medical issues with in our psychiatric population (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid issues etc) and it was super helpful! If you want to work with the psych population and stay with in your scope this may be something to discuss with your friend.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

Perhaps consider adding a PMHNP if you're interested in psych. Since you already have a friend who is a PMHNP, she can probably help you find a preceptor(s) and you can go through an online Post-MSN PMHNP program. Post-MSN certs shouldn't take long to complete (2 semesters) for those who are already NPs.