Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Military experience providing nursing care within an established scope, educating patients and families, and collaborating to improve care transfers to advanced psychiatric nursing practice.
How to prepare: Compare your existing graduate education, RN and APRN licenses, and national certification with the intended state board's requirements and employer's psychiatric practice scope, identifying any gaps before pursuing additional training. State APRN requirements vary, and psychotropic prescribing is subject to state regulations and applicable collaborative practice agreements.
What the civilian work involves
- Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
- Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
- Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.