Psychiatric Nurses
Registered nurses who seek additional education and obtain a masters or doctoral degree can become advanced practice registered nurses in the specialty (APRNs). They provide the full range of psychiatric care services to individuals, families, groups and communities, function as psychotherapists, and in most states they have the authority to prescribe medications psychopharmacology. Psychiatric-mental health nurses in advanced practice are qualified to practice independently. Some APRNs practice consultation/liaison nursing, delivering direct mental health services to physically ill patients or consultation to staff in general medical settings.Our thanks to the APNA for help with the definition.