PMHNP job discription

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I applied for the fall to go to PMHNP school and I spoke with one of the advisers there regarding my career goals of providing counseling and therapy and she said that the PMHNP program would work for that. However I spoke with a social worker with a phd in psych and he said that PMHNP pretty much only write scripts for doctors and don't do much counseling or therapy. Is this true? Would it be better to get a different graduate degree for these career goals?

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You're trained to do both. However, you're more valuable to most employers doing psych evals and med checks. I think most insurance companies want to pay the cheapest therapist...and that is social workers and masters-level therapists who don't get paid squat.

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So would it be better to get a different degree? I want to open my own practice eventually.

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No,as a PMHNP you have the best of both worlds therapy and meds.

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As a business, you'd be better served with the PMHNP. There are so many differently trained people that can give talk therapy. You could do this as a part of your practice as well, but the need is for people to prescribe psych meds. If you're willing to do that you'll probably get more patients and better reimbursement.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Can a pediatric NP (not psych) work in pediatric mental health?

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My understanding is that a PNP can work in pediatric mental health as long as there is a need.

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My understanding is that a PNP can work in pediatric mental health as long as there is a need.

Different states have different rules and standards about scope of practice. It would depend on the particular state.

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Hi Stram87, wondering if you decided to go back to school for PMHNP after all...

So would it be better to get a different degree? I want to open my own practice eventually.
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Hi Stram87, wondering if you decided to go back to school for PMHNP after all...

No I decided to wait another year. Might move across country. Not sure yet.

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