How Does the Role of a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Compare to Other Mental-healthcare Roles?

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2024-02-05T16:35:46.488Z

The roles of a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP), licensed clincial social worker, mental-health counselor, psychiatrist, and psychologist are all related to mental health and providing support to individuals with psychological issues. However, they differ in terms of their educational backgrounds, scope of practice, and specific roles within the mental health field. Here's a breakdown based on the differences within these roles.

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How Does the Role of a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Compare to Other Mental-healthcare Roles?

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2024-02-05T16:35:46.488Z

Education and training

PHMNP: PMHNPs are registered nurses who graduate from an accredited PMHNP graduate program and successfully obtain national board certification and state licensure.^1,2
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) are master’s prepared social workers (MSW) who complete additional post-MSW supervised clinical practice hours and obtain state licensure.^3-6
Mental Health Counselor: Mental Health Counselors graduate from a masters program in mental health counseling, pass national board certification, and complete clinical practice hours before applying for state licensure.^7-9
Psychologist: Psychologists have a doctorate in psychology (Psy.D). These are non-medicine doctorates. After obtaining the doctoral degree, a psychologist completes an internship prior to sitting for the national exam and applying for licensure.¹⁰
Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are physicians who complete a 4 year residency in psychiatry prior to obtaining state licensure.¹¹

Cost of school

PHMNP: BSN to MSN $18,000-185,000; BSN to DNP $25,000-250,000¹²
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: $30,000-$90,000^13,14
Mental Health Counselor: $30,000-$120,000¹⁵
Psychologist: 4-year Psy.D program: $42,000-135,000^16,17
Psychiatrist: $250,000 - $340,000²⁸

Ability to practice independently

All the professions listed here will have the ability to practice independently.

Ability to prescribe medications

PHMNP: Yes
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: No
Mental Health Counselor: No
Psychologist: No (some states do allow if additional training is completed)
Psychiatrist: Yes

Average annual salary

PHMNP: $134,540¹⁹
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: $65,000²⁰
Mental Health Counselor: $48,520²¹
Psychologist: $106,420²²
Psychiatrist: $247,350²³

References

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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Everything you need to know about becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP), including a psychiatric nurse practitioner's responsibilities, education requirements, and the importance of this work in providing mental health care.

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