A Cardiac Care Nurse cares for patients with heart diseases or conditions, from coronary artery disease to heart failure and recovery from bypass surgery.
A Developmental Disability or Special Needs Nurse takes care of patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and Autism.
A Neuroscience Nurse helps patients who experience brain and nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, strokes, and brain injuries, recover from or learn to manage their condition.
A Psychiatric or Behavioral Health Nurse cares for patients with psychiatric disorders such as mental illness, eating disorders, addiction, and substance abuse.
As certified advanced practice nurses, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners provide a range of mental health treatment and support services to patients and their families. In addition to working with doctors to establish a diagnosis and prescribe medication, Psychiatric NPs create holistic treatment plans that prioritize a dynamic level of educational and professional support specific to each patient’s psychiatric needs.Depending on their level of education, Psychiatric NPs can pursue additional specialties within the mental health profession, and can hold a variety of roles ranging from general psychiatric assessments and diagnoses, to working as counselors, to working in a research setting. However, no matter how you function as a Psychiatric NP, it’s important to lead with compassion for your patients who likely have little control over the way they are able to process or understand their diagnosis.
