If you have been told to see a nurse practitioner for anxiety, depression, ADHD or another mental health concern, you may be wondering what that means for your care, and how it differs from other kinds of care you have had.
This article explains what family and psychiatric nurse practitioners do, how their training differs, and how a psychiatric nurse practitioner fits into your care at a telehealth practice like JRose Wellness.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). They start as registered nurses, then complete graduate education and clinical training in a specialty. Depending on that specialty, NPs assess patients, diagnose and treat health conditions, prescribe medications, and teach patients about their health.
Two NP specialties come up often: family practice and psychiatric-mental health care.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs)
Family nurse practitioners care for people across the lifespan in general health settings. Their work often includes:
- Health assessments: evaluations of a person's overall health.
- Ongoing care: follow-up for long-term health conditions.
- Preventive care: screenings, immunizations and routine check-ups.
- Patient education: guidance on healthy habits and everyday self-care.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs)
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, often called psych NPs or PMHNPs, specialize in mental health. In the practice's own words:
A Psych NP is an advanced practice nurse who assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health conditions. Treatment may include medication management, therapy, education, and lifestyle support.
A psych NP's work usually includes:
- Psychiatric evaluations: a thorough first visit to understand your symptoms, history and goals, and to make a diagnosis.
- Medication management: prescribing psychiatric medication when it is a good fit, then monitoring and adjusting it over time.
- Supportive therapy: therapeutic support and coping skills built into your visits, with a referral to a therapist when you need more.
Outpatient psychiatric care is planned, ongoing care. JRose Wellness is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
How the two roles differ
Both are nurse practitioners, but their training points in different directions. A family nurse practitioner is trained for general health care across the lifespan. A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is trained to evaluate and treat mental health conditions, including prescribing and managing psychiatric medication. Some nurse practitioners, like Jessica, hold both credentials.
Working with your other clinicians
Mental health care rarely happens in isolation. A psychiatric NP may work alongside your therapist, your primary care provider and other clinicians who know you, so the pieces of your care fit together.
At JRose Wellness, supportive therapy happens during your visits. In the practice's words:
Many Psych NPs offer medication management and brief therapeutic interventions. I will provide supportive therapy during our sessions and may refer you to a therapist if needed.
The role of telehealth
Telehealth has become a common way to see a nurse practitioner, especially for mental health care. Video visits can be easier to fit around work, school and family, and they take the drive and the waiting room out of the picture.
Every visit at JRose Wellness happens by secure video, so you can receive care from the comfort and privacy of your home. Learn how telepsychiatry visits work.
The path to becoming a nurse practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner takes years of education and clinical work. The usual steps are:
- Earn a nursing degree, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam for registered nurses.
- Work as a registered nurse to gain hands-on patient care experience.
- Complete a graduate nursing program, at the master's level or higher, in a specialty such as family or psychiatric-mental health care.
- Pass a national board certification exam in that specialty.
- Apply for an advanced practice license in the state where they will practice.
Nurse practitioners also complete continuing education to keep their licenses current and stay up to date with best practices.
About Jessica's training
Jessica Logel founded JRose Wellness and is its only provider. She is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner.
- Credentials: MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP
- Education: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Pace University
- Licensure: Licensed in Connecticut as a registered nurse since 2017 and as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) since 2021.
In addition to my psychiatric background, I also have experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which gives me a broader understanding of the connection between physical and mental health.
Jessica Logel
Care is by secure video for patients in Connecticut: adolescents 15 and older, adults, and older adults. Read more about Jessica.
Is a psychiatric nurse practitioner right for you?
A psychiatric NP can be a good fit if you want an evaluation for things like ongoing worry, low mood, trouble focusing or big mood swings, or if you want help starting, reviewing or adjusting psychiatric medication. You do not need a diagnosis before you reach out.
If you are not sure you want medication, you can say so. As the practice puts it: “That's okay. Medication is optional. We can explore therapy, lifestyle changes, or other non-medication approaches.”
See the conditions Jessica treats, including anxiety, depression and ADHD, find out what to expect at your first visit, or read answers to common questions.
