Family Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Issues When Treating Patients With Mental Health Issues

In primary care settings, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are often the first to see patients with mental illnesses. FNPs can diagnose and treat patients with uncomplicated mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, within their scope of practice (SOP). However, FNPs should be aware of areas that fall outside of their SOP, such as diagnosing and treating patients with complicated or severe mental illnesses or exceeding prescribing authority for psychiatric medications. Any breach of their SOP could lead to civil liability and disciplinary actions.
Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Featured Article Source Type: research