So…You Want to Hire (or Join a Practice as) a Psych NP?

Medicine can be an essential part of a person’s behavioral health (BH) treatment plan. Psychiatrists and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (Psych NPs) are the only licensed BH clinicians with specialized training to prescribe and manage psychotropic medicines safely and effectively.

Developed by the Virginia Health Care Foundation, So…You Want to Hire (or Join a Practice as) a Psych NP? helps healthcare organizations successfully integrate a Psych NP into their clinical team, and supports Psych NPs in evaluating potential job opportunities. The goal? For each to avoid common pitfalls and challenges.

So…You Want to Hire (or Join a Practice as) a Psych NP? includes practical questions to consider, focusing on:

  • Rationale and expectation setting
  • Defining the Psych NP role
  • Evaluating prospective candidates
  • Operations and workflow
  • Finances and billing

Interested in becoming a Psych NP? Click here to learn about VHCF’s Psych NP Scholarship.

Last Updated on December 1, 2025