non-psych NPs and psych meds

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I was wondering how many FNPs, ANPs, PNPs prescribe psych meds to their patients. I'm finding myself dealing with more and more complicated psych patients that I'm not really comfortable rx'ing meds for (bi-polar, shcizophrenic, PTSD, etc). Trouble is, the psych resources in my area are pretty much non-existent, and we have no psychiatrists or psych NPS on staff. These patient often have to wait months (literally) to get in to see someone, and meanwhile they're suffering. I do the best I can, do a lot of research, and confer with other staff, but none of us are psych experts. Is anyone else in this situation and how do you deal with the more complicated patients?

Thanks.

[zenman]

Now, does anyone wonder if PMHNP is a great field to enter?

What state are you in?

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm in MA. I think the biggest challenge is that most of my patients are poor, with crappy or no health insurance. No one wants to see them..... The two agencies we use require a series of meetings with a therapist before someone can see a psychiatrist.....and the waiting list to get in is months. Not a good situation.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I work in nephrology and do prescribe antidepressants but that is as far as I go. And....I also try to refer to community resources for counselling if at all possible.

Like you, though, in IL, resources are scarce.

[Dixiecup]

I live and work in a rural area. I just started as a FNP but all the places I did clinicals, most of the providers prescribed psych meds in one way or another.

I've been around it a lot and have some psych experience. In rural clinics you just about have to do some psych work and prescribing.

[t2krookie]

in texas fnps role does include management of simple psych issues, uncomplicated depression, anxiety if it's tied to a know effect or situation and emergency management of psychosis, but diagnosis and management of psychosis/bipolar/schizophrenias is not(corrections welcome but this is coming from mhnp,fnp friends, and my education thus far). i'm surprised that an fnp would take on that role. the pharmacological complications are rather extensive or at least can be. so much can be medical co-morbidities masquerading as psychological and vice versa.