mental health certification for nurse practitioner

Specialties NP

Published

You are reading page 3 of mental health certification for nurse practitioner

valair55

22 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Geriatrics, Oncology.

I will be completing my Gero-Psych NP at the University of South Alabama. Where did you get the info about the psychoactive drugs being limited to only DNP prepared NPs working in psych??? Thanks!

vlynn4

10 Posts

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

Try this link from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners to search for accredited programs by state or specialty (you can also check distance education if you want online programs only):

http://66.219.50.180/AANPPublicPages/npprogramlistingcrit.asp

ivorybunny

75 Posts

Specializes in Cardiology, Psychiatry.

As a newly graduated Psych NP, you will need to return to school for post-Master's. It's about getting in those clinical hours that are needed. At my school in Fl, 3 semester of 180 hours each. Good luck!

ANPFNPGNP

685 Posts

You'll need to complete a ANCC approved Psych NP or Psych CNS program. In order to sit for boards, you will need to have at least 500 precepted hours in PMH nursing. None of your FNP hours would apply.

ANCC requirements for PMH certification have been becoming more stringent in the past 6 months.

This isn't true. I have a friend who is a FNP and she's currently attending the Psych/Mental Health NP program at UT-Arlington (TX) and she only had to take FOUR classes plus complete over 500 precepted hours. It's a "post-Master's" certification, so you certainly don't have to repeat the majority of the classes! When she finishes, she will take the board exam through ANCC.

Editorial Team / Admin

sirI, MSN, APRN, NP

17 Articles; 44,729 Posts

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
This isn't true. I have a friend who is a FNP and she's currently attending the Psych/Mental Health NP program at UT-Arlington (TX) and she only had to take FOUR classes plus complete over 500 precepted hours. It's a "post-Master's" certification, so you certainly don't have to repeat the majority of the classes! When she finishes, she will take the board exam through ANCC.

I think UVA Grad Nursing is talking about FNP clinical hours not accepted, not class hours.

ANPFNPGNP

685 Posts

I think UVA Grad Nursing is talking about FNP clinical hours not accepted, not class hours.

You're right, the clinical hours wouldn't be accepted in any of those programs.

ANPFNPGNP

685 Posts

I have certainly benefited from all the advice you all have provided. The question I am seeing most is why do I want to do it. Well, to explain my situation a little--I went to school to get FNP and then took a job at mental health facility. They need someone to see patients in the outpatient setting and I need something that insurance companies will recognize in order for reimbursement.

Someone mentioned a DNP. I have heard that soon all NP's will have to have DNP. Is there one some kind of mental health DNP that I could get that would qualify me for taking the certification exam. I could get the DNP in the same length of time it would take me to get the Mental Health NP.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you

I'm curious, you stated that you are working in a mental healthy facility as a FNP. Do you address the primary care needs of the patients?

bobcambren

9 Posts

you asked what I do as a FNP working in mental health. An FNP can do medical assessments and write up history & physicals. I can also write prescriptions for medical management on an outpatient basis. I don't do that anymore because it has become hospital policy to have certified mental health nurse practitioners or physicians do that. I am glad about that. You may feel comfortable about that but I didn't like changing meds and things like that. I had a supervising physician but I hated bothering him all the time when the medication the patient had been on wasn't working. That is why I want to go to school and get certified. I feel that I need to know more about psychpharmacology working with this type of patient.

I guess the answer to a lot of questions is that FNP's can legally do it but I want more education to make me more comfortable with the type of patient we deal with. I think it is a good idea to learn how mental health patients' medications can interact with medical needs and the medications they are already receiving.

I hope this makes sense.

Thank you all for your comments. I have learned a lot since I first posted.

ANPFNPGNP

685 Posts

I guess the answer to a lot of questions is that FNP's can legally do it but I want more education to make me more comfortable with the type of patient we deal with. I think it is a good idea to learn how mental health patients' medications can interact with medical needs and the medications they are already receiving.

In the state of Texas, FNP's are NOT legally allowed to diagnose and treat psychiatric illnesses nor can we manage psych meds. We can treat situational anxiety and acute depression only. We can't treat GAD or chronic depression, that is within the realm of the psych/mental health NP. FNP's have been sanctioned by the TXBON for doing exactly what you've been doing.

jer_sd

369 Posts

Nut there are 49 other states than Texas and in many of thoes states NPs can provide care that they can not in Texas. Arizona State University has 2 programs to train NPs to provide further psychiatric care without becoming psych NPs but both are focused to pediatric partients. The pediatric nurse certification board will be issuaing a certificate in pediatric mental health NPs next year I think. Idaho board of nursing had a local unversity provide contining education for psychiatic care. FNPs/ANPs/GNPs/WHNPs/PNPs can provide some mental health servces including rx. Personally I do not rx for psych not in my personal comfort zone.

ANPFNPGNP

685 Posts

Nut there are 49 other states than Texas and in many of thoes states NPs can provide care that they can not in Texas. Arizona State University has 2 programs to train NPs to provide further psychiatric care without becoming psych NPs but both are focused to pediatric partients. The pediatric nurse certification board will be issuaing a certificate in pediatric mental health NPs next year I think. Idaho board of nursing had a local unversity provide contining education for psychiatic care. FNPs/ANPs/GNPs/WHNPs/PNPs can provide some mental health servces including rx. Personally I do not rx for psych not in my personal comfort zone.

I would proceed cautiously and get something IN WRITING from my carrier concerning all of this. When s--- hits the fan and you file a claim, there's a very good chance they'll reject it.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

I would proceed cautiously and get something IN WRITING from my malpractice insurance carrier concerning all of this. When s--- hits the fan and you file a claim, there's a very good chance they'll reject it.

I would also check with the BON about scope of practice specifics ...

+ Add a Comment