I've searched this site high and low and found some posts on psychiatric NPs but nothing recent. I'm just wondering if psych NPs have a high level of job satisfaction and what are the hours typically like? Do you get to incorporate therapeutic communication a lot in your practice? Also, if anyone has attended Vanderbilts program.. did you enjoy it? did you feel they adequately prepared you for practice.. such as for prescribing meds?
Thank you for responding! I appreciate your feedback. I suppose I should seek someone out and shadow them to really get an idea of the job. Are you currently working as a psych NP or are you in school?
@DizzyJon,
Thanks for your response! Private practice is something I would be interested in so your perspective is appreciated. What did you like most about that position? Did you feel burnt out ever? Why did you decide to leave and what do you do now?
Also, if you happen to find the name of the book I would greatly appreciate it.
What I liked most was seeing patients respond to the meds and do a complete 180 in how they feel. I also enjoyed getting a better understanding of psych meds and how to treat various conditions. I did eventually feel burned out and left. I was seeing 22 patients a day, was assistant medical director, and was program director of transcranial magnetic stimulation. So...not enough time in the day to accomplish everything I needed to do. I'm now doing urgent care.
The book is "Essentials of Psychopharmacology" by Stephen Stahl. Excellent book!
I have an MSN in Adult and Geriatric Primary Care and was hired by an outpatient mental health clinic. In California there is no Psych NP license. This clinic is in a rural area so they were more flexible and provide 6 months of training. The schedule is four 10 hour days and they are very strict about no overtime and no oncall. I only do medication management, but there is a definitely a lot of therapeutic communication. The trend now is for NPs, PAs, and MDs to focus on med management and for psychologists to do psychotherapy. This is more cost effective due to the higher billing rates of NPs versus psychologists. However, depending on the state you are in, you may be able to set up your own practice and offer psychotherapy as well.
I have an MSN in Adult and Geriatric Primary Care and was hired by an outpatient mental health clinic. In California there is no Psych NP license. This clinic is in a rural area so they were more flexible and provide 6 months of training. The schedule is four 10 hour days and they are very strict about no overtime and no oncall. I only do medication management, but there is a definitely a lot of therapeutic communication. The trend now is for NPs, PAs, and MDs to focus on med management and for psychologists to do psychotherapy. This is more cost effective due to the higher billing rates of NPs versus psychologists. However, depending on the state you are in, you may be able to set up your own practice and offer psychotherapy as well.
I am surprised and disappointed to read that California doesn't require adequate education to work exclusively in psychiatry. Regardless I'd be very careful because in court I suspect a lawyer would be all over the fact that you have no formal psychiatric education.
I am surprised and disappointed to read that California doesn't require adequate education to work exclusively in psychiatry. Regardless I'd be very careful because in court I suspect a lawyer would be all over the fact that you have no formal psychiatric education.
Interesting...CA maintains a listing for PMHNP
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse
Pursuant to Insurance Code Section 10176, the BRN maintains a listing of registered nurses who possess a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing plus two years of supervised experience providing services as a psychiatric/mental health nurse and who have applied to the BRN to be listed. This voluntary listing enables the certificate holder to receive direct reimbursement from insurance carriers for counseling services.
There are two methods to qualify for listing as a psychiatric/mental health nurse with the BRN. General reporting of prior conviction/disciplines are required for both methods.
60% of mental heath care is provided by primary care providers. As an AGPCP NP, I did receive formal education in psychiatric care. I'm just reporting the California regulation. Therefore, there would be no reason for a lawyer to "be all over" this, as I am working in an out patient clinic. In addition, I am not aware of any primary care providers being sued for prescribing out patients antidepressants and so forth.
You posted a regulation for nurses, not nurse practitioners. In addition, it is for a "listing," not for a license. Finally you are not from California, so I don't understand why you are debating me, when I live and work in California. The clinic I am practicing in has been in existence for over 10 years and is doing very well. PAs can also provide psychiatric care and I am not aware of any "psych PA" programs.
60% of mental heath care is provided by primary care providers. As an AGPCP NP, I did receive formal education in psychiatric care. I'm just reporting the California regulation. Therefore, there would be no reason for a lawyer to "be all over" this, as I am working in an out patient clinic. In addition, I am not aware of any primary care providers being sued for prescribing out patients antidepressants and so forth.
A PCP prescribing SSRIs and stimulants to uncomplicated cases is different than someone practicing exclusively in psychiatry without the PMH-NP certification. My FNP program gave two lectures on psych, one in pharm and one in a general class of some sort. I can only pray none of my classmates is using that as appropriate formal education to prescribe and diagnose in this specialty.
I don't know if California's BON acknowledges and requires the PMH-NP certification but if it does, regardless of what your clinic says or how long they have been practicing in this manner your license could be in jeopardy.
Pursuant to Insurance Code Section 10176, the BRN maintains a listing of registered nurses who possess a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing plus two years of supervised experience providing services as a psychiatric/mental health nurse and who have applied to the BRN to be listed. This voluntary listing enables the certificate holder to receive direct reimbursement from insurance carriers for counseling services.
There are two methods to qualify for listing as a psychiatric/mental health nurse with the BRN. General reporting of prior conviction/disciplines are required for both methods.
This is not pertaining to an advanced practice license and is only pertaining to counselling services.
Am I understanding correctly that you are saying California doesn't require the accepted standard of NP board certification in psychiatry to practice solely in psych? If so in my opinion that is disgraceful and a grave disservice to that vulnerable population.
California always does things their own way. Many employers require the PMHNP certification, but it is not a state requirement. There are 3 ways to become an NP in California. In fact, one does not need to pass a national cert exam to become an NP in California, if an MD will sign off on the candidate NP's skills. This is all on the California Board of Nursing website. You are entitled to your opinion, but you present no evidence to back up your assertions, other than anecdotes.
California always does things their own way. Many employers require the PMHNP certification, but it is not a state requirement. There are 3 ways to become an NP in California. In fact, one does not need to pass a national cert exam to become an NP in California, if an MD will sign off on the candidate NP's skills. This is all on the California Board of Nursing website. You are entitled to your opinion, but you present no evidence to back up your assertions, other than anecdotes.
Check out Carolyn Bupperts most recent monthly tip where a NP without PMH-NP certification was involved in litigation for an adverse outcome surrounding prescribing psychiatric meds.
DizzyJ DHSc PA-C
198 Posts
What I liked most was seeing patients respond to the meds and do a complete 180 in how they feel. I also enjoyed getting a better understanding of psych meds and how to treat various conditions. I did eventually feel burned out and left. I was seeing 22 patients a day, was assistant medical director, and was program director of transcranial magnetic stimulation. So...not enough time in the day to accomplish everything I needed to do. I'm now doing urgent care.
The book is "Essentials of Psychopharmacology" by Stephen Stahl. Excellent book!