Challenges faced by new psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner prescribers

One of the main challenges that psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner (PMNHP) students experience is preparing to prescribe medications by demonstrating psychopharmacologi-cal competency. To examine the challenges as they relate to this issue, self-reflective journaling narratives were evaluated from two cohorts of Post-Master’s PMHNP program graduates, across each of two semesters of pedi-atric and adult clinical experience. The most prominent challenges reported by students were in regard to medica-tion treatment adherence, decision making, and monitoring symptom-related outcomes. The narratives also demonstrate that reflection, combined with faculty-and preceptor-supported clinical education, assists PMHNP students in developing psychophar-macological competency. All PMHNP students described in this article were nurse practitioners before they began the program. By seeking to augment their competencies and through con-tinued self-reflective learning and prac-tice, they will improve access to mental health care for the populations they serve.