The PMHNP role has the theoretical orientation, education, and scope to be an effective provider of child and adolescent mental health services. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) takes the policy position that psychiatric nurses should be considered members of the primary care workforce; this is in contrast to the traditional medical model, which positions mental health care as a specialty discipline. The responsibilities of the PMHNP role are founded on the nursing process and therapeutic relationship and include: educating patients and families; diagnosing, treating, and managing acute illness; providing psychotherapy; prescribing medication for acute and chronic illness; diagnosing, treating, and managing acute illness; providing care coordination; making referrals; ordering, performing, and interpreting lab tests, diagnostic studies; and providing preventative care including screening (APNA, 2019). 

As you read the excerpt, please tell us?

What makes you decide to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

What are the values that may help you develop that role?

What is your plan to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for advance practice?

References

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (2019). Expanding Mental Health Care Services in America: The Pivotol Role of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. An Informational Report Prepared by The American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Retrieved from https://www.apna.org/files/public/Resources/Workforce_Development_Report_Final_Draft_6_25.pdf