EP151: Nurse Practitioner School: What Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Do?

<p dir="ltr">There is a huge national need for psychiatric service providers to help all ages, from children to older adults. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">—Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN</p> <p dir="ltr">As a family nurse practitioner, my passion has always been in the field of geropsychology - a specialty that utilizes psychological knowledge and methods to understand and assist older individuals and their families in maintaining well-being, conquering challenges, and reaching their highest potential during later stages of life. </p> <p dir="ltr">This specialty is integral to our clinical practice, both in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. </p> <p dir="ltr"> Now, let's dive into what it means to be a psych mental health nurse practitioner and the incredible work done by remarkable practitioners like Drs. Tony Roberson and Cynthia Awadzi from GWU. </p> <p dir="ltr">▶️  Nurse Practitioner School: What Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Do?</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Key points covered in this episode:</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Main Point 1:  What is a Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is a professional who evaluates, diagnoses and addresses the mental health needs of patients throughout their lives. </p> </li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Offers prescribed medications and therapy to help patients who have mental health disorders or substance problems. </p> </li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Responsibilities include conducting physical and psychosocial assessments and providing emergency psychiatric care and treatment. </p> </li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Main Point 2: What does a typical day at work look