The Role of the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Why you may Consider seeing one for your Mental Healthcare

Mental healthcare providers are in demand in the United States. With the growing shortage of practicing psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners are essential to filling the overwhelming void for mental healthcare practitioners. In the state of Florida, psychiatric nurse practitioners collaborate with licensed and board-certified psychiatrists in practice. However, schedule time is limited even with the number of psychiatrists currently in practice. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) are a superior solution to the reduced access to psychiatrists. With years of education and clinical experience, psychiatric NPs meet the qualifications to evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health illness. They provide optimal care and treatment for patients suffering from a variety of mental health disorders and psychiatric conditions.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are responsible for helping and treating patients with a range of psychiatric disorders and conditions. While under their care, psychiatric NPs evaluate, diagnose and help patients manage psychiatric illnesses and mental health disorders, including but not limited to anxiety, ADHD/ADD, mood disorders, substance abuse, psychosis, and schizophrenia. They continue to assess and monitor the patients and their progress throughout the course of treatment. In addition to treating patients with diagnosed disorders, psychiatric NPs treat patients with family histories, other comorbidities, and environmental or external factors that increase susceptibility to mental illness. Treatment includes medication prescriptions, psychotherapy, and a holistic approach to healthcare.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners require extensive schooling and clinical experience prior to practice. Prospective psychiatric NPs must first obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse, followed by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and then a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited advanced degree program. In addition to degree completion, state licensing examinations, board certification examinations, 2,000 clinical hours and continuing education hours, and an additional year of psychiatric-mental health care specialization education is required in order to practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

When searching for a psychiatric health care provider, a psychiatric nurse practitioner is an exceptional answer to meet your healthcare needs. You can find comfort in your decision to seek treatment from a psychiatric NP with extensive knowledge and experience in mental health and psychiatry. Dr. Kothari and Jen Deyoe ARNP enjoy collaborating together on patient care. Their office is located in Boca Raton with access to patients via telehealth throughout Florida. Please call if you with to make a consult, at this time the practice is open to new patients. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and make a positive change in your life!

References

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. State Practice Environment. https://www.aanp.org/legislation-regulation/state-legislation/state-practice-environment. Accessed November 16, 2020.
• “Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, Inc.” The Advanced Practice Nurse Solution. https://www.flanp.org/page/TheAPRNSolution?. Accessed November 16, 2020.
• Malak, Larry. “Collaborative Opportunities: Working With Nurse Practitioners to Meet the Needs of Underserved Populations.” Psychiatric Times, vol. 33, no. 6, 30 June 2016.

Dr. Priti Kothari

Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry

Dr. Priti Kothari is a board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with fellowship training at John Hopkins Medical Center. Dr. Kothari completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University with a major in Anthropology and a concentration in Women’s Studies. She then went on to perform research in Eating Disorders at Hunter College/CUNY with an affiliation to Cornell Medical Center. She completed Medical School at Ross University and did her Adult Psychiatry Training at University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Hospitals. Subsequently, she completed Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.