PMHNP question

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Jan 25

I do not understand why you are concerned if this is fair or not. The issue is not fairness, but reasonableness.

A normal work day for an outpatient PMHNP is 8 hours.

The industry norm now is 40 minutes for a new patient intake appt, and 20 minutes for follow ups. If you are starting out and building your own patient panel, then 40 minutes would be normal for new patients. If you are also getting 40 minutes for follow ups, that is a lot.

You should negotiate ramp up period. I would say you should only see 6 brand new patients (intakes) per day for 1 week, then increase to 8 patients per day (for intakes), and so on. When you are first starting a new job, it takes time to learn the EHR and administrative procedures. If they won't give you a reasonable ramp up schedule, don't take the job.

Basically, it is probably going to take you about 1 to 1.25 hours to complete an intake b/c you are a new PMHNP and new to this organization.

For a follow up appt, it willl probably take you 30 to 40 min.

You will become faster and more efficient over time.

CuriousConundrum · Feb 1

SN2432 said:

Hello,

I recently was offered my first PMHNP position. strict telehealth working from home. I was told it 8 hours per day and 40 min sessions per patient. is this a lot to start or in your opinion is it fair. I have no idea since I am new.

It will take some getting used to. You may ask that your first two weeks of patients are so have 20 minute gaps between appts so you can get used to the charting and stopping people from talking too much so you can complete your interview. Take the gig. Working from home can't be beat!

mi75 · Feb 6

Sounds very much norm from my standpoint. I'm both FNP and PMHNP and most new PMHNPs can expect 40-60 minutes per new patient. Keep in mind that unless someone is leaving that practice you probably won't have a full panel immediately, it can take many months to grow your panel to a full day of visits.