Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

• Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
• Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
• Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.
• Distinguish between physiologically and psychologically based disorders and diagnose appropriately.
• 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.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, or nursing staff, to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans.
• Develop and implement treatment plans.
• Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development including conferences or continuing education activities.
• Conduct individual, group, or family psychotherapy for those with chronic or acute mental disorders.
• Interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and renal functioning tests.
• Consult with psychiatrists or other professionals when unusual or complex cases are encountered.
• Participate in treatment team conferences regarding diagnosis or treatment of difficult cases.
• Develop practice protocols for mental health problems based on review and evaluation of published research.
• Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
• Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.
• Teach classes in mental health topics such as stress reduction.
• Administer medications including those administered by injection.
• Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.