Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: Rising to Meet the Challenge
As the stigma of mental health fades, and the connection between medical care and behavioral health becomes ever more apparent, American healthcare systems are turning to mental health providers to meet this challenge. As behavioral health issues have become more accepted, mental health concerns – such as addiction, PTSD, depression, and suicide – are on the rise.
For medical providers, especially psychiatric nurse practitioners, what are some of the most important mental health concerns that they will encounter today and in the future?
Mental Health in the United States: Issues and Concerns That Nurses Face Today
When assessing the current trends in mental health, especially those that affect the work of psychiatric nurses, the addiction crisis is a clear focus. In the U.S., addiction and substance abuse are affecting thousands of lives a year, mostly due to opioid addiction. With this growing national epidemic, around 175 Americans lose their lives daily due to overdose. As more lives are lost, the healthcare and behavioral health community is trying to piece together a successful strategy that reduces relapse and prevents overdosing by utilizing a mix of medication and counseling.
While addiction is at the forefront of mental health discussions, so is the topic of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2017, an estimated 3.6 percent of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year. While commonly thought of as a condition that only affected veterans involved in combat, the healthcare community now recognizes that many different types of trauma can cause PTSD, such as tragic accidents, extreme violence (school shooting), abuse, or exposure to a life-altering event.
Lastly, depression is finally taking its rightful place as one of the most pressing health concerns in the medical community, especially as it relates to suicide. Recent pronouncements from star NBA athletes as well as the recent suicides of designer Kate Spade and television personality Anthony Bourdain have thrust this topic into the spotlight. Per the CDC, suicide rates in the U.S.have increased by 24 percent from 1999 to 2014 with the highest growth rate occurring after 2006.
While once most commonly associated with young adults, the risk of suicide is now crossing all age and socioeconomic levels, with the highest rate of suicides occurring among middle-aged individuals. This has caused behavioral health providers to assign due emphasis to early detection of depressive risk factors, especially as they relate to suicidal tendencies.
With mental health concerns on the rise and less stigma / greater acceptance bestowed upon those seeking treatment, the demand for mental health providers is surging. So, how is the medical community managing this growing need for professionals to care for America’s mental health?
The Role of PMHNPs in Treating America’s Mental Health
One of the fastest growing groups addressing this need for qualified mental health care are Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). In 2016, approximately 2.4 percent of NPs were focused on psychiatric/mental health for adults, 3 percent for families.
As changing regulatory winds continue to define the supervisory requirements for Nurse Practitioners across the country, PMHNPs are assuming the duties that have been mainly reserved for psychiatrists in the past. In many cases, PMHNPs are responsible for the following:
- diagnosing mental health concerns;
- treating patients with psychiatric disorders; and
- providing treatment to patients in the form of prescribing prescriptions or counseling,
Most PMHNPs operate out of hospitals, clinics, counseling centers and in some cases, depending on state law, private practices. The aforementioned regulatory landscape pertains to supervision required by PMHNPs (which varies state-by-state). In some states, such as Texas or Florida, PMHNPs must be supervised by a collaborating physician that signs off on their treatment plans. In other autonomous / free practice states, such as Washington State or Oregon, PMHNPs can practice without these supervisory obligations. In such states, PMHNPs can operate their own practices.
How Does an NP Become a PMHNP?
PMHNPs are among the highest-paid nursing specialties with a median salary of $97,800. These compensation figures continue to move upward in favor of PMHNP providers as facilities across the country work to incentivize PMHNPs in a highly competitive recruiting landscape.
State laws regarding licensing requirements and duties vary, but when a nurse is considering becoming a PMHNP, it is recommended they receive a degree from an accredited psychiatric NP program. The following are some of the top PMHNP programs in the U.S.:
Top PMHNP Programs
# 1: University of Pennsylvania
The NP program combines neuroscience and psychotherapy. Students who attend full-time can complete the program in 14 months.
# 2: Rush University
The PMHNP program at Rush is a doctoral program. While it is entirely online, the program is intensive and takes about two or more years to finish.
# 3: University of Washington
The UW has a top health and nursing program. Their PMHNP program is a graduate certificate, and an applicant must be working toward or has earned a doctorate in a medical related field.
# 4: University of California – San Francisco
Students enrolled in the psychiatric NP program have the option to complete their residency while focusing on a specific patient age group.
# 5: Yale
Yale’s program is considered a master’s specialty. Students who participate in this program get the benefit of a top-notch nursing education and comprehensive, practical experience in psychiatric mental health.
Planning for the Future
As more Americans seek mental health care, more behavioral health providers are needed to answer this vital call. As the regulatory landscape governing advanced practice care in the United States continues to evolve, the role of PMHNPs in this mission grows more imperative.
Today, with the many concerns and issues facing mental health in this country, it will be in large part the work of PMHNPs that helps lessen the impact on the lives of men, woman, and children that are suffering from mental health issues across the nation, now and in the years to come.
If you are a PMHNP interested in new opportunities, contact the healthcare recruiting experts at MedSource Consultants. We have acted as niche advisors in the psychiatric/behavioral health space for over twenty years and have supportive partners seeking qualified PMHNPs across the country.
In that capacity, our team has worked to place medical providers in positions that prepare them for the future of behavioral care. Learn more about our advanced practitioners jobs today.