Psych NP Health Assessment

[Purple_Clover]

This may be a stupid question, or rather me asking a question that I already know the answer to and don't like it, but do psych NP programs require the same health assessment class as other NP programs? If so, it seems kind of pointless to have Psych NPs learn all this physical assessment stuff when none of it will be used in their practice. Or maybe I'm wrong about that last statement. I know the course codes are the same for the program I'm considering, but here I am asking anyway.

Much thanks for your help with this :)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hmm...I would bet it is. Don't most psych NPs do med management? So, don't you have to assess your pt physically?

[armymusic2013]

I'm not a psych NP by any means, I'm actually still in nursing school. But anyway, since many people with mental illness often have physical problems also, wouldn't it be important to be able to assess for physical problems as well? Though, I suppose it also depends on your intended practice setting and whether you are doing inpatient or outpatient.

[Jules A, MSN]

All the programs I'm aware of require it. For billing you will be adding components of a physical exam also even if totally OP.

[DizzyJ DHSc PA-C]

I rarely had to touch a patient while working in psych in the sense of doing a physical exam. However, it is very important to know. For instance, we did vitals on all patients (because psych meds can affect HR/BP) and one should know how to examine a patient and identify non psych med issues that could be going on. Also, we did transcranial magnetic stimulation in our office and sometimes there would be uncommon reactions (like a seizure) that would benefit from a physical exam before EMS pulled up. I had a patient sitting in front of me once very pale. She ended up in the ED getting a transfusion because my visual assessment identified the appearance of anemia. I think having a good understand of disease processes, treatments, surgeries, etc helps you better understand what a patient is going through if they have depression related to a medical condition.

[verene, MSN]

Yes, ALL NPs regardless of specialty must take coursework in physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Yes, even if you only use assessment once a year, you may need those assessment skills - although I have never done a full on all-the-cranial-nerves assessment since nursing school.

My kids' psych NP does vitals every visit and probably more that I'm not noticing.

[Purple_Clover]

Thank you for all of your replies!!!