Sleep Medicine NP?

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Specializes in ICU, CCU.

Is anyone a Nurse Practitioner that works in Sleep Medicine? Or has anyone heard of NP's working in this speciality? How is it like? I have an interest in specializing in this field. Is it possible to develop a private practice in this field?

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Specializes in Former NP now Internal medicine PGY-3.

I’ve seen one NP work in sleep running the sleep clinic  but I think you need a physician to read the sleep studies and supervise since there isn’t rly a sleep NP focus as far as I know. It’s an interesting field though

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Specializes in ICU, CCU.
On 1/4/2021 at 3:40 PM, Tegridy said:

I’ve seen one NP work in sleep running the sleep clinic  but I think you need a physician to read the sleep studies and supervise since there isn’t rly a sleep NP focus as far as I know. It’s an interesting field though

What were the NP's duties? Thanks for your response.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I was offered a job to work in a sleep clinic.  The MD was very honest and said that if you want a low-stress job that is very routine, then sleep medicine is a great fit.  The patients are very appreciative.  However, many NPs would find the job boring.  So think about that.

Duties:  Intake - new patient H&P, etc.  Order appropriate studies, labs, etc.  Technicians provide the initial interpretation, etc., but NP would order treatment based on the studies, etc.  Monitor patient response.  Consult with MD as needed.

 

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Specializes in ICU, CCU.
On 1/6/2021 at 12:57 PM, FullGlass said:

I was offered a job to work in a sleep clinic.  The MD was very honest and said that if you want a low-stress job that is very routine, then sleep medicine is a great fit.  The patients are very appreciative.  However, many NPs would find the job boring.  So think about that.

Duties:  Intake - new patient H&P, etc.  Order appropriate studies, labs, etc.  Technicians provide the initial interpretation, etc., but NP would order treatment based on the studies, etc.  Monitor patient response.  Consult with MD as needed.

 

How would one get the training to work in this speciality?

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

I'm a patient of a sleep NP. She works in a large practice and manages sleep apnea patients as well as insomnia patients. She's an acute care NP, though I would think an FNP/AGNP could fulfill the role as well. She's great, she's been very helpful, she's very thorough. I see her every 6months for follow up on settings and supplies.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU.
1 minute ago, TheMoonisMyLantern said:

I'm a patient of a sleep NP. She works in a large practice and manages sleep apnea patients as well as insomnia patients. She's an acute care NP, though I would think an FNP/AGNP could fulfill the role as well. She's great, she's been very helpful, she's very thorough. I see her every 6months for follow up on settings and supplies.

Thanks for your reply! I am actually in school to become a Psych/Mental Health NP, but I may look to specialize into this area in the future if I just want to have a more straightforward, routine, chill job. I guess with the proper training a PMHNP can also do sleep medicine too.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.
1 minute ago, indomie23 said:

Thanks for your reply! I am actually in school to become a Psych/Mental Health NP, but I may look to specialize into this area in the future if I just want to have a more straightforward, routine, chill job. I guess with the proper training a PMHNP can also do sleep medicine too.

It's not uncommon at all for psychiatry to manage sleep disorders pharmacologically. Most psych patients have varying degrees of sleep problems so I imagine you'll be exposed to that plenty just in normal psychiatric practice.

I do know that in my area Sleep Medicine will only manage pharmacologically if the patient doesn't have a psych history and under the care of psychiatrist/psych NP.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
2 hours ago, indomie23 said:

How would one get the training to work in this speciality?

You would apply for a sleep medicine job and then receive on the job training.

 

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Specializes in Pulmonology/Sleep.

Hi,

 

I've been in sleep medicine for about 2 years (combined with pulm as well). I LOVE what I do. I see a variety of sleep patients. Mostly obstructive sleep apnea; those on CPAP or BiPAP. Central sleep apnea as well on BiPAP or ASV. Complex sleep apnea as well. I order home sleep studies and in lab studies. A lot of education, teaching, and reinforcement of PAP therapy. We also treat narcolepsy, EDS w/OSA, hypersomnia, insomnia, ect. It's a very interesting field that often goes un-noticed and we tend to see a lot of improvement with our patients.

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Specializes in L&D.
On 3/5/2021 at 9:57 AM, rpark91 said:

Hi,

 

I've been in sleep medicine for about 2 years (combined with pulm as well). I LOVE what I do. I see a variety of sleep patients. Mostly obstructive sleep apnea; those on CPAP or BiPAP. Central sleep apnea as well on BiPAP or ASV. Complex sleep apnea as well. I order home sleep studies and in lab studies. A lot of education, teaching, and reinforcement of PAP therapy. We also treat narcolepsy, EDS w/OSA, hypersomnia, insomnia, ect. It's a very interesting field that often goes un-noticed and we tend to see a lot of improvement with our patients.

Do you work overnights, weekends?

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Specializes in Pulmonology/Sleep.

I do not. I work M-F, regular 40 hrs.

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