Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Advanced practice psychiatric nurses assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. They apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.
If your interest lies in the healthcare industry, and you are eager to help others with their mental health, the profession of a psychiatric nurse could be the right choice for you.
The psychiatric nurse's job description includes monitoring patients’ progress or responses to treatments, recording patient medical histories, diagnosing medical conditions and evaluating patient functioning, capabilities or health.
A psychology nurse works with doctors of psychology or psychiatry as they assist them and treat patients with mental health concerns.
To become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse, one must be a registered nurse, hold a bachelor of science in nursing, complete a master's or doctoral nursing program in advanced nursing and successfully pass a national board certification exam.
An advanced practice psychiatric nurse's salary varies according to their level of education, geographic location and amount of experience. psychiatric nurse salary and work with psychiatric patients in various places, which include mental health clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities and in-home care.
A psychiatric nurse needs to have excellent interpersonal skills to practice empathy. To succeed and advance in this career, advanced practice psychiatric nurses will require basic nursing skills, remarkable communication skills, and powerful problem-solving skills.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Ph.D. Psychology
- M.Sc. Psychology
- B.Sc. Psychology
- B.Sc. Psychology
- B.Sc. Rehabilitation Science
Tasks
- Teach classes in mental health topics such as stress reduction.
- Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development including conferences or continuing education activities.
- Direct or provide home health services.
- Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
- Develop practice protocols for mental health problems based on review and evaluation of published research.
- Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.
- Treat patients for routine physical health problems.
- Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
- Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
- Provide routine physical health screenings to detect or monitor problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
Progression Routes
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