mental health certification for nurse practitioner

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Does anyone know of a way for a family nurse practitioner who has years of experience in mental health nursing to obtain some sort of psychiatric/mental health certification without having to complete a mental health nurse practitioner program?

I looked at the ANCC requirements and I have all the classes they require but it says I must have graduated from an approved mental health nurse practitioner program. Please advise if you know anything about this. Thank you

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.

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Thank you so much. I will go online and try to find one and then before I register I guess I need to check to see if they meet ANCC requirements. I would imagine that they are all just as long. I would like to find the quickest one if anyone knows of one that will allow anything to help me get out faster. Thanks again

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Specializes in Psych, ER, OB, M/S, teaching, FNP.

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!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

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.

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Specializes in Psych, ER, OB, M/S, teaching, FNP.

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.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

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

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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.

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

Good luck!

I heard they put out good graduates.

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Thank you. I guess I had better get going since this semester has already started. I hope I get in by summer semester.

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Most programs like this only admit once a year, generally in the Fall Semester. You need to look at their admissions deadlines and get your application in ASAP. You should also look into Vanderbilt University as another option. They have a distance-based PMHNP program that is one year in length (Aug to Aug) and has a reputation for putting out quality practitioners. They meet ANCC certification requirements so you'd get your hours and not have to relocate.

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Specializes in telemetry.

I am searching for Adult NP online program and I will apply to Mobile. Any feedback will be appreciated:))

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If an FNP went back for a psych CNS certification, would the extra psych certification combined with the FNP allow them to prescribe psychotropics in a state that didn't grant CNS prescriptive privileges? Or would he/she have to pursue a psych NP specialty?

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It depends on the state; you'd need to check with the BON of the state you'd be practicing in. Many BONs are becoming more restrictive with what you're allowed to do, specifying that you must practice in the area for which you are educationally prepared. I think in some states this would work, and in others it would not. However, it is likely to become more problematic in the future.

So, why go back for the psych CNS instead of the PMHNP? You'd be better off going with the PMHNP.

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