A new training modality is the Master's entry/graduate entry to practice nursing program model, which is specifically designed for those with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields. (2007, February 6). APNs are prepared with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing. This is in contrast to 2008, when nurse practitioners could autonomously diagnose and treat in 23 states, and could only prescribe in 12 states. Depending on what those goals are, you may want to study to be a nurse practitioner (NP) or to pursue a degree as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). PMHNP-BC is the ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center designated title for a board certified Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Learn more about Nurse Practitioners. A PMHNP is trained to practice autonomously. Research various nursing terms and abbreviations. Learn more about Nurse Anesthetists, This RN provides leadership and high-level clinical expertise in a specialty area of medicine (for example, community health or geriatrics). For information about the field, see Psychiatric and mental health nursing. Notable schools with Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse practitioner programs are Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Yale School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, University of California-San Francisco, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University School of Nursing. While many people use the terms ‘APRN' and ‘NP' interchangeably, it's of note to remember that while an NP is an APRN, an APRN isn't always an NP, as described above. With the aging population, demand for highly skilled advanced practice RNs will keep job security stable. Individuals who already have a bachelor's degree in another field can attend one of many accelerated BSN programs before entering an approved MSN or DNP program. Beyond this, a minimum number of supervised clinical hours are also required. Learn more about Clinical Nurse Specialists, This type of RN provides advanced, comprehensive care to patients. To explain simply, an NP is a type of APRN. What Does an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Do? APRN program courses usually consist of a mix of advanced general nursing classes, along with specialized courses that relate to the role or focus that the student has chosen. However, no state has actually initiated any laws regarding the DNP as the minimum degree. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (PMH-APRNs) are health care professionals licensed - or in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed - to practice as specialists in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Examples of APRN specialties include oncology, emergency, nephrology, and more. This means that this type of RN has earned a graduate-level degree such as a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and has been specially trained in one of the four recognized APRN roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, APRNs including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists can expect job growth of 31% through 2024, which is an extremely favorable outlook. Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMH-APRNs) offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population. Entrants to these programs typically spend one to two years completing Bachelor's level nursing classes to allow them to sit for the nursing board exam NCLEX-RN, and then go straight into an additional 2–3 years of graduate level coursework. As more Americans seek mental health care with the Affordable Care Act, there simply are not enough psychiatrists available to meet their needs. According to the APRN Consensus Model, there are four roles an APRN can hold: certified nurse midwife (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and nurse practitioner (NP). PMHNPs diagnose, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for patients who have psychiatric disorders, medical organic brain disorders or substance abuse problems. The PMHNP has a focus on psychiatric diagnosis, including the differential diagnosis of medical disorders with psychiatric symptoms, and on medication treatment for psychiatric disorders. Advanced psychiatric nurses are trained to provide a wide range of mental health services to patients and families in a variety of settings. It is expected that current Master's-prepared nurses will be "grandfathered' into the new system and as long as they keep their certification current, they will not be required to pursue further education except the required continuing education. Programs at public universities are typically less expensive for state residents than out-of-state-residents. An APRN is a nurse who has obtained at least a master’s degree in nursing. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Post-Master’s Certificate Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salaries, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Students must then successfully pass a Board examination to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Check out the following for more detailed information: Current, MSN-educated APRNs who wish to change foci or specialties can opt to complete a post-grad certificate program in the specialty they wish to enter or obtain specialized nursing certifications. Advanced Practice Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Resources. In 25 states, nurse practitioners (NPs) already diagnose and treat with Full Practice Authority, meaning there is no physician involvement. [7] In addition, programs at public universities tend to be less expensive than programs at private universities. PMH-APRNs assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy. The United States is in the midst of an overall physician shortage, and psychiatrists are the second most highly recruited physicians after family medicine physicians, according to an article published by Forbes in June 2017.