What does a mental health nurse do?

Question

I was wondering because my friend says she is a nurse for a psychatrist

Answer 1

I am a Certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse who works for a Psychiatrist. I have taken Nursing Boards , and Boards specializing in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health; because of my certification in these areas, I am qualified to do counseling with patients and their families, both in the office and hospital setting. I do daily rounds with the Dr. in the hospital and we confer on each and every patient as to diagnoses and treatment options. I do medication checks in the office and return phone calls to patients who have called in with problems. Although I can't prescribe or diagnose, the Dr. I work for always asks for my input in these areas and respects my rationale behind these suggestions. It's having the credentials and continuing education in this field that makes one truly a professional. What a wonderful profession this has been for me for 25 years!!!

Answer 2

Basically what a psychiatrist does except a mental health nurse practitioner has to work under the doctor's prescribing authority (in most states). They often do some counseling and interventions if necessary during appointments. They often have a holistic approach based on their schooling, such as family systems and life stressors. If your friend is a RN then she can not prescribe but she probably still does her fair share of crisis intervention and talking with the patients.

Answer 3

A nurse, RN, that works for a psychiatrist basically does what a nurse in any other medical field does and cannot write prescriptions. A nurse practitioner NP CAN write prescriptions. So much nursing work now consists of paperwork unfortunately. When I was in a mental hospital, they took vital stats, asked questions about what and how I was feeling. They dispensed medications and gave shots, but spent most of their time on paperwork.