The 5 R's of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner: rationale, readying, roles, rules, and reality

1. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who deliver primary mental health and psychiatric care to clients and families. 2. Psychiatric NP curricula include advanced health assessment, pathology, pharmacology, NP role development, and psychiatric-mental health content, such as diagnosing and managing mental illnesses, providing therapies, and promoting mental health. 3. The degree of prescriptive autonomy of psychiatric NPs is determined by each state's Nurse Practice Act.