Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) verses Psy.D.

[Chevelle]

Hello to all.

To all who can answer this question i am truly grateful. I will post this same question in the Nursing forum also. Here is the question. My brother is doing his psych residency right now in New York and he has been telling me that he sees a lot of PsyDs and LCSW working in the same hospital. I asked if he has seen any Psych Nurse Practitioners. Unfortunately he has not. Correct me if i am wrong but don't Psych Nurse Practitioners do more than a Psyd Practitioner. I have been reading curriculums of Psych Nurse programs and i have to admit they are really impressive.

I hope this doesn't start any arguments. I just would really like to know more info so i can make a right decision.

Thanks
Chevelle

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[Therapist4Chnge]

They are very different positions, so "more" or "less" really isn't applicable. The training is very different, as are the available jobs, so I'd look at what you want to eventually do....and then work backwards. Hopefully others will share their 2 cents......as I'm off to get ready for the Manchester United @ Barcelona match. 😀

 

[erg923]

Agreed. Very different training, focus, and skill sets that end up with very jobs duties. The fact that you will be working with a mentally ill population is really the only similarity in the 2. Educate yourself about the difference in these 2 degrees and what they prepare you to do. If you describe your career goals and interests, I can tell which degree will serve you better.

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

Psych CNS can prescribe meds, PsyD/PhD cannot. (Unless they are in New Mexico, and I think Louisianna). They are more like psychiatrists in that way. They probably don't do much therapy/assessment/research/teaching.

 

[Chevelle]

Ok i will be more specific then. How do they differ in therapy? Can they actually have their own practice like a Psy-D and treat patients therapeutically? My brother was telling me that he has seen a few (Psych Nurse Pract) but they just do Physical Assessments and that's it. Please don't tell me that all those Pharm, psychopath, and intervention courses go to waste.

Thanks
Chevelle

 

[erg923]

Ok i will be more specific then. How do they differ in therapy? Can they actually have their own practice like a Psy-D and treat patients therapeutically? My brother was telling me that he has seen a few (Psych Nurse Pract) but they just do Physical Assessments and that's it. Please don't tell me that all those Pharm, psychopath, and intervention courses go to waste.

Thanks
Chevelle

To my knowledge, the psych nurse prac is very "psychiatrist-like." I doubt they receive many courses that form the foundation for being a knowledgeable and versed psychotherapist, or get formal practicums strictly in psychotherapy like doctoral level psychologists do (years of them). But check the program courses to be sure. I think they are primarily trained as health professionals and pharmacologists. I'm sure some are in private practice and do therapy along with med checks, but psychotherapy and psychological interventions are just not the primary career goal in their training model. You will also not be trained in psychometric assessment as a nurse practitioner. This is a large chunk of what psychologists do. I have to concur with your brother, in that, the psych nurse practitioners I have known primarily do med management and manage physical/medical complications of treatment.

 

[pingouin]

I've worked with a few psych NPs in the last few years. They do have some psychotherapy training requirements, although I really don't know how much. I recall a PNP student doing a practicum rotation at the CMHC where I used to work, and she had to have a certain number of clients/therapy hours.

I do agree with erg regarding PNPs being more "psychiatrist-like". It is mostly about the meds and easing the caseload of the psychiatrists. It's always been my understanding that as with any other NP, they are required to have a collaborative agreement with a physician in order to prescribe. That would mean they cannot do a solo/independent practice.

I know of several PNPs who work within psychiatry private practices (usually group practices) and we have one at one of my hospitals. I wouldn't be surprised if they use them in the prison system as well, but now I'm just speculating.

 

[Chevelle]

Thank you so much for all the info. You guys have been very helpful. Thanks a bunch.

Chevelle