Primary Care in advanced practice psych

[FeelGDRN]

Whats up good people. I just responded to a thread about the Psych CNS role vs the Psych NP. Does any one know much about the new position of Psych Primary Care NP. I was all about the theory of the position. That many psych patients don't recieve quality medical care. Which is another thread for discussion. Does anyone have input on the practicality of this position. The theory is that the practitioner would be able to perform hx and physicals. Short term psychotherapy, primary care, medication mgmt in psych and medical arenas. The all purpose nurse, in other words. I started the program, I aced psychopharm and neurobiology. Its not the degree of difficulty. Its the length of the program and whether its practical after completion. I do agree this population needs better medical care. Is this jack of all trades approach realistic?

[spaniel]

You raise a good point. I once asked a professor of an FNP program if she often precribes psychotropics because I was wondering if that would be one avenue for me. My expertise is in psych but I've worked CCU many years, did home care, etc etc. Anyway, she said it would be appropriate if the FNP were to lets say, prescribe an antidepressant while in the course of events in treating for other issues. However, if the chief complaint were really a complex psychiatric matter,she felt it would be pretty much inappropriate.for the FNP to take on the case.

Gee I'm not sure that it would be a jack of all trades, but I think the scope would be a large one, that's for sure. Would you mind PM me as to where your program is -I'm curious. Bet it's a long haul!!

[PackMule]

I've never heard of such a program. I understand the principles involved from what it adds to Psychiatry, i.e., doing an H& P, PE, etc. This is so important. I still continue to be shocked that multiple psychotropics are prescribed to a patient and it seems to be more important to ask about how many pets they have then to do palpate their abdomen for a liver, look for enlarged thyroid or lymph nodes, or do an otoscopic exam, but anyways......... What would be the advantage from a Primary Care standpoint? It sounds like a jack of all trades at first, but then the more I thought about it, it really almost sounds very limiting instead, since the population is limited to Psych patients. Are there specific advantages to lumping these 2 together versus getting a dual certification first as one of the primary care specialties (FNP, GNP, PNP), then Psych as a Post Masters? It seems like with dual certification, you can use which ever title, depending on the job. Say for example, you're certified as an FNP primarily, and there is a great job opening in an adult specialty like Obesity or something. You may use your psych background, (and actually, may have a specific group in the practice with psych problems), but your qualification for the job itself would be your FNP. Hope this makes sense! Keep us posted.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I'm a psych CNS. I think a psych NP is what you're talking about. They do H & P's for medical stuff and prescribe for that as well as for psych needs.