How do they match: Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

  • Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

  • Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
  • Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
  • Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
  • Provide routine physical health screenings to detect or monitor problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
  • Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
  • Treat patients for routine physical health problems.
  • Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.

  • Prescribe medications.
  • Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
  • Treat patients using psychological therapies.