Entrants to these programs typically spend one to two years completing Bachelor's level nursing classes to allow them to sit for the nursing board exam NCLEX-RN, and then go straight into an additional 2–3 years of graduate level coursework. It is expected that current Master's-prepared nurses will be "grandfathered' into the new system and as long as they keep their certification current, they will not be required to pursue further education except the required continuing education. While licensure as an APRN is granted at the role and population foci levels, students also have the option of entering an APRN specialty, which are areas of healthcare that exist outside the role and population foci. To enter any of the APRN roles, students must complete a graduate-level program. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (PMH-APRNs) are health care professionals licensed - or in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed - to practice as specialists in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Psychiatric nurs… Medically underserved areas also value APRNs, as they can often serve in primary care roles, and can perform some of the diagnostics and procedures that doctors normally provide. The United States is in the midst of an overall physician shortage, and psychiatrists are the second most highly recruited physicians after family medicine physicians, according to an article published by Forbes in June 2017. This is in contrast to 2008, when nurse practitioners could autonomously diagnose and treat in 23 states, and could only prescribe in 12 states. The cost of education can vary greatly. For further information about APRN roles, foci, and specialties, the following resources can offer assistance: PLEASE NOTE: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. Check out the following for more detailed information: Current, MSN-educated APRNs who wish to change foci or specialties can opt to complete a post-grad certificate program in the specialty they wish to enter or obtain specialized nursing certifications. Examples of APRN specialties include oncology, emergency, nephrology, and more. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the planned entry level degree for advanced practice registered nurses according to the ANCC. [7] In addition, programs at public universities tend to be less expensive than programs at private universities. Beyond these four APRN roles, there are several population foci that nurses can specialize in. For example, at UCSF the cost for the Masters program with in-state tuition is approximately $12,245 a year; for an out-of-state student the tuition is $24,798. Learn more about Certified Nurse Midwives, This RN administers anesthesia for patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures, while ensuring patient safety. What Does an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Do? Notable schools with Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse practitioner programs are Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Yale School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, University of California-San Francisco, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University School of Nursing. All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. Many NPs enter a population focus, such as family nurse practitioner or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Both classroom and online APRN programs are available across the country. Their job description entails providing ongoing medication management services to new and existing clients according to their clinical need. PMHNPs are crucial in the field of mental health. Programs at public universities are typically less expensive for state residents than out-of-state-residents. The State of California. At minimum, the candidate must complete an approved Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) advanced nursing education program. They are licensed to provide emergency psychiatric services, psychosocial and physical assessment of their patients, treatment plans, and manage patient care. RegisteredNursing.org does not guarantee the accuracy or results of any of this information. This is followed by clinical rotations of at least 600 hours to complete a MSN degree, 1000 hours for the DNP. A new training modality is the Master's entry/graduate entry to practice nursing program model, which is specifically designed for those with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields. APRNs also enjoy higher salaries, with the national average salary landing at $107,460 per year. Both MSN and DNP programs are available, so RNs can decide which route is right for them. This means that APRNs will complete education in one of the four roles, and can also gain specialized knowledge in one of the six population foci, which include: For example, a popular APRN role is a pediatric nurse practitioner, where the NP practices within the pediatric population. (2007, February 6). University of California, San Francisco. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, APRNs including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists can expect job growth of 31% through 2024, which is an extremely favorable outlook. Simply put, an APRN is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. A PMHNP is trained to practice autonomously. Simply put, an APRN is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. [2] In these states, they still practice independently to diagnose disorders, provide therapy and prescribe medications. The following four roles encompass the APRN title, and a myriad of educational opportunities and programs exist for them: This type of RN specializes in childbirth and performs a host of women's health medical services.