Unlike any other specialty, the main focus of PMHNPs is conditions of the mind and mental wellness. Recognizing the influence that our mental state has on our physical health, and vice versa, what PMHNPs do is a crucial element of comprehensive and effective healthcare.
As PMHNPs, advanced nurse practitioners evaluate and diagnose patients to provide appropriate care plans, counseling and therapy and to prescribe medications to manage mental health challenges. This may be long-term care, in which nurses are able to build a rapport with patients facing issues such as substance abuse, addiction or trauma, or it may be emergency psychiatric care, in which nurses work to provide efficient and immediate care to individuals in urgent situations.
While the scope of practice between an PMHNP and a FNP may vary, mental healthcare is an integral component of overall patient health, wellness and long-term success, influencing some of the decisions and care options that advanced nurses in both specialties may consider. With advanced education and experience, PMHNPs are able to help their patients face the ebbs and flows of managing mental illness, providing them with the resources they need to pursue a health-conscious lifestyle.
What Do PMHNPs Treat?
PMHNPs provide comprehensive mental healthcare to their patients, treating a wide variety of mental illnesses and disorders and providing counseling throughout a patient’s lifetime. These focuses include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Severe mental illness (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression)
- Trauma counseling
- Behavioral issues
- Emergency mental healthcare, counseling and treatment
Mental health nurse practitioners work in a wide variety of locations, including hospitals, mental healthcare centers or private practices. Depending on the setting, their duties can vary and influence the type of care or counseling that they’re likely to provide. With a focused education and experience, PMHNPs are able to guide their patients through the challenges of mental illness.