1. < Depression & Anxiety

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Are these accurate credentials?

Posted by stillkicking @stillkickig, Nov 11, 2020

Thank you for taking a look at my question. My wife has been seeing what she refers to as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner because she likes the person and does not feel an MD is necessary. I come from a family where we believe you try to find the best credentialed doctors and then go from there. I realize there can be different schools of thought on this. Anyway! I found the nurses card and it says "RN, NP" and beneath that is says "Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner". I have done some preliminary research and it seems a psychiatric nurse practitioner has the initials "PMHNP". Is this correct? Should I ask her nurse some questions? Does anything here seem strange? Thanks!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 11, 2020

@stillkickig Welcome to Mayo Connect! There are indeed several levels of Nursing, and many nurses have a "niche" they specialize in. If you have questions, you could look up your state's Board of Nursing website, to check a license. From what I could find out, not all states require the abbreviation you noted.

Personally, I have a Nurse Practitioner as my primary care medical person. She is very knowledgeable on many things, and very thorough, besides being a good diagnostician. I have several health issues, and have seen my fair share of medical people! I find it is important to feel comfortable with the professional we deal with, and if your wife is seeing positive results, that is great.

I hope you will find answers to your concerns, and let me know.
Ginger

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Erika | @erikas | Nov 11, 2020

@stillkickig It sounds like you want your wife to have the best care by the most competent providers. To reiterate what Ginger said, yes PMHNP is a legitimate credentialing. Below is a Mayo Clinic link that explains PMHNP's scope of practice and education.

- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: Nurse Practitioner: What does a nurse practitioner do?: https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/nurse-practitioner/

The process of becoming a PMHNP is rigorous and like a physician they have specialized training in their area of choice.

May I ask if your wife is seeing the NP for therapy and/or psychiatric medications?

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1 reply
stillkicking | @stillkickig | Nov 11, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@stillkickig It sounds like you want your wife to have the best care by the most..." + (show)
@erikas

@stillkickig It sounds like you want your wife to have the best care by the most competent providers. To reiterate what Ginger said, yes PMHNP is a legitimate credentialing. Below is a Mayo Clinic link that explains PMHNP's scope of practice and education.

- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: Nurse Practitioner: What does a nurse practitioner do?: https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/nurse-practitioner/

The process of becoming a PMHNP is rigorous and like a physician they have specialized training in their area of choice.

May I ask if your wife is seeing the NP for therapy and/or psychiatric medications?

Jump to this post

Thank you, Ginger and Erika. To answer your question, Erika, my wife has seen her off and on for years regarding medication. My wife sees a therapist separately.

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1 reply
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Nov 12, 2020
In reply to @stillkickig "Thank you, Ginger and Erika. To answer your question, Erika, my wife has seen her off..." + (show)
@stillkickig

Thank you, Ginger and Erika. To answer your question, Erika, my wife has seen her off and on for years regarding medication. My wife sees a therapist separately.

Jump to this post

@stillkicking
Hi, I understand the desire to feel comfortable with this person's credentials insofar as treating your wife goes, but I am wondering whether you have some specific concern regarding the care your wife is receiving from this person? Is there some issue that you have with any advice he/she is giving? Just trying to understand what triggered this query in the first place,since you do not mention any specific issue you are having? Best, Hank

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1 reply
stillkicking | @stillkickig | Nov 12, 2020
In reply to @jesfactsmon "@stillkicking Hi, I understand the desire to feel comfortable with this person's credentials insofar as treating..." + (show)
@jesfactsmon

@stillkicking
Hi, I understand the desire to feel comfortable with this person's credentials insofar as treating your wife goes, but I am wondering whether you have some specific concern regarding the care your wife is receiving from this person? Is there some issue that you have with any advice he/she is giving? Just trying to understand what triggered this query in the first place,since you do not mention any specific issue you are having? Best, Hank

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Hello Hank. I just come from a different school of thought I suppose which is why it concerned me. Anyway it appears to be moot as the person she as seeing does not have experience with patients trying to become pregnant and taking antidepressants and will not see her for that reason. We are going to have to look for a new provider.

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