Role of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners in Nursing Homes
A psychiatric nurse practitioner, also referred to as a mental health nurse practitioner, cares for patients with psychiatric health problems. Some psychiatric NPs specialize in evaluating and treating the elderly residents of nursing homes.
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Function
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Psychiatric nurse practitioners are responsible for providing physical and psychological assessments of nursing home residents. They then create treatment plans and manage their patients' medical and mental health care.
Other Roles
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A psychiatric nurse practitioner often acts as an educator and consultant for the nursing home staff and their patients' families. These NPs frequently hold one-on-one therapy sessions as well as group therapy sessions.
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Features
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Group sessions generally cover a variety of topics, including reminiscing, handling aggression and overcoming suicidal feelings. Other topics might include life skills management, medications and nutrition.
Effects
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Psychiatric NPs work to help patients overcome physical and mental health problems that are associated with advanced age and institutionalization, such as depression, eating or sleep disturbances, medication complications or confusion.
Education
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A psychiatric nurse practitioner must earn a master's or a doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited NP training program. Psychiatric NPs working in nursing homes often specialize in gerontology.
Salary
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According to NurseSource.org, a psychiatric nurse practitioner earns an average yearly income of about $50,000 to $70,000.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Derrick Tyson
