10 Reasons Why the PMHNP Field Won’t be Saturated Anytime Soon

Written By: Lauren Jacobson MS, RN, WHNP-BC

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) field is here to stay. What are the reasons why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon? Despite the ongoing pandemic and its impact on the healthcare industry, the demand for PMHNPs is expected to continue growing. Reasons range from job satisfaction to prevalence of mental illness that influences why this field won’t be saturated anytime soon. In this article, we will explore 10 reasons why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon.


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IS PMHNP SATURATED?

When you look at the high demand for psychiatric providers, the PMHNP field is no different. The PMHNP field is currently facing a shortage of qualified professionals, and as such, it is not considered to be saturated. In fact, the demand for PMHNPs is growing rapidly due to a variety of factors.

The PMHNP field is also growing due to the expansion of telehealth services, the aging population, the increasing awareness of mental health issues, and the inclusion of PMHNPs in healthcare reform efforts. In addition, the PMHNP field offers a high level of job satisfaction, which helps to attract and retain professionals in the field.

Despite the growing demand for PMHNPs, there are still many areas of the country where access to mental health services remains limited. This is due in part to a shortage of qualified professionals in the field, as well as a lack of funding for mental health services.

Thus, there is still a great need for PMHNPs in many areas of the country, and individuals who choose to enter the field can expect to find a wealth of opportunities and a high level of job security. Like many nurse practitioner fields, PMHNPs are well equipped to provide accessible and quality care to their patients.

WHY THE PMHNP FIELD WON’T BE SATURATED ANYTIME SOON?

(The following are the 10 reasons why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon.)

REASON #1: Growing Demand for Mental Health Services

The demand for mental health services has been on the rise in recent years and is one reason why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon. Mental health conditions are prevalent worldwide and have a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness in any given year. Mental illness is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and it's estimated that mental health conditions will account for 15% of the global disease burden by 2025.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health, with many individuals experiencing increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. The pandemic has led to job loss, financial strain, social isolation, and grief, among other stressors, making it challenging for people to maintain good mental health. The pandemic has also disrupted mental health services, leading to a reduction in access to care and increased demand for mental health professionals.

REASON #2: Shortage of Mental Health Professionals

There is currently a shortage of mental health professionals in the United States, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. This shortage has been documented in both urban and rural areas of the country and affects individuals across all age groups.

According to one study, the projected workforce of psychiatrists in the United States is poor with the country predicted to be short by 14,280 to 31,109 psychiatrists in the coming years. Furthermore, many individuals with mental health conditions do not have access to a mental health professional, leading to untreated or under-treated mental health conditions.

The shortage of mental health professionals has several contributing factors, including an aging workforce, inadequate reimbursement for mental health services, and a lack of funding for mental health programs. This shortage has significant implications for individuals with mental health conditions, who may experience long wait times to receive care or have limited access to care.

PMHNPs can help fill the gap in mental health services by providing psychiatric care and medication management to patients. PMHNPs are well-positioned to provide mental health services, as they have advanced training in psychiatric nursing and can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide therapy. As a result, PMHNPs are in high demand, and the field is expected to continue to grow.

REASON #3: Expansion of Telehealth Services

The expansion of telehealth services is another reason why the PMHNP field won't be saturated anytime soon. Telehealth has been growing rapidly in recent years, and its popularity has increased even further during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has numerous benefits for mental health care, including increased access to care, reduced stigma, and improved patient outcomes.

One of the key advantages of telehealth is that it can increase access to care, particularly in areas where there are shortages of mental health professionals. Telehealth allows PMHNPs to provide care to patients in remote or underserved areas, where there may be limited access to mental health services. This can help to address the shortage of mental health professionals and increase the availability of mental health care for patients who might otherwise go without treatment.

In addition, telehealth can help to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. Many individuals may be hesitant to seek treatment for mental health conditions due to the stigma surrounding mental illness. Telehealth allows patients to receive care in the privacy of their own homes, which can help to reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment.

I can attest to this on a personal note. When I moved abroad in late 2020, I did not want to find a new counselor after having known mine for 5 years. Since telehealth was well established by this point, I was able to continue seeing my counselor back in the US. With this, I was able to avoid rehashing my life story to a new person and could stay with someone I already had a trusting relationship with.

REASON #4: Scope of Practice

The scope of practice for PMHNPs is another reason why the field won't be saturated anytime soon. PMHNPs have a broad scope of practice that includes diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, prescribing medications, providing therapy and counseling, and managing overall patient care. This broad scope of practice allows PMHNPs to provide comprehensive and integrated care to patients with mental health conditions.

The scope of practice for PMHNPs is expanding in many states, which is increasing the demand. The scope of practice expansion for PMHNPs allows them to practice more independently and provide a wider range of services. For example, some states have granted PMHNPs full practice authority, which allows them to practice independently without physician oversight. This expansion of scope has helped to increase the demand for PMHNPs and create new opportunities for these professionals.

REASON #5: Collaboration with Physicians

PMHNPs work collaboratively with physicians, particularly psychiatrists, to provide comprehensive care to patients with mental health conditions. The collaboration between PMHNPs and physicians allows for a team-based approach to care, which can improve patient outcomes and provide a more integrated approach to treatment.

When I was working as a women’s health NP, I loved having PMHNP friends to refer my patients to. I knew we approached patient care from a similar perspective, and that my patients would be able to establish a trusting relationship with someone on the team quicker than a stranger.

Furthermore, the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health care is leading to greater collaboration between PMHNPs and physicians. Mental health care is increasingly being recognized as an important component of overall health care, and there is a growing understanding of the need for a team-based approach to care. As a result, PMHNPs are becoming more integrated into health care teams, which is increasing the demand for these professionals.

REASON #6: Aging Population

The aging population is another reason why the PMHNP field won't be saturated anytime soon. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the demand for mental health care is increasing. Older adults are more likely to experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and may also have complex medical needs that require specialized care. PMHNPs are well-suited to provide this specialized care, as they have expertise in both mental health and physical health care.

Furthermore, the aging population is also leading to an increased demand for mental health services in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. As more older adults require long-term care, the need for mental health services in these settings is growing. PMHNPs are well-positioned to provide mental health services in these settings, as they have the expertise to provide both mental health and physical health care to older adults.

REASON #7: Increase in Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness has increased in recent years, with increased attention to mental health issues in the media, in public discourse, and in policymaking. This has led to more people seeking mental health services. This trend is expected to continue, further increasing the demand for PMHNPs. This increased awareness has helped to reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions and has led to greater recognition of the need for mental health services.

As a result of this increased awareness, there is a growing demand for mental health services, including the services provided by PMHNPs. PMHNPs are well-positioned to provide high-quality mental health care to patients, and as the demand for mental health services continues to grow, the demand for PMHNPs is likely to continue to increase as well.

REASON #8: Inclusion in Healthcare Reform

PMHNPs are included in healthcare reform initiatives, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which aim to increase access to mental health services. This inclusion further enhances the demand for PMHNPs. The ACA expanded access to healthcare for millions of Americans and increased the focus on primary care and preventive services. PMHNPs are well-suited to provide these services, as they are trained to provide mental health care in a primary care setting. The inclusion of PMHNPs in healthcare reform efforts has helped to increase the demand for these professionals.

In addition, the inclusion of PMHNPs in healthcare reform efforts has led to increased recognition of the value of their services. PMHNPs are recognized as key providers of mental health services in many healthcare settings, including primary care clinics, community mental health centers, and hospitals. As a result, the demand for PMHNPs is likely to continue to grow as healthcare reform efforts continue to prioritize the provision of high-quality, integrated healthcare services.

REASON #9: Higher Education Standards

PMHNP programs have higher education standards than some other healthcare programs. In recent years, there has been a push to increase the education requirements for PMHNPs, with many states now requiring a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for licensure. This increased education requirement ensures that PMHNPs are highly trained and prepared to provide high-quality mental health care to patients.

Higher education standards also help to elevate the status of PMHNPs within the healthcare system. PMHNPs with advanced degrees are recognized as experts in their field and are often sought out for their expertise by other healthcare professionals. As a result, the demand for PMHNPs with advanced degrees is likely to continue to grow, ensuring that the field remains in high demand for years to come.

REASON #10: Job Satisfaction

Like many NPs (myself included) PMHNPs report high levels of job satisfaction, citing the opportunity to work independently, the ability to make a difference in the lives of their patients, and the diversity of their work as key factors. Additionally, PMHNPs are often able to build strong relationships with their patients, which can be very rewarding and fulfilling.

The high level of job satisfaction among PMHNPs helps to ensure that there is a steady supply of professionals entering and remaining in the field. This, in turn, helps to ensure that the field remains well-staffed and able to meet the growing demand for mental health services. As a result, the PMHNP field is likely to continue to attract new professionals and retain experienced ones for years to come.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

So, are you still wondering why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon? I didn’t think so. The growing demand for mental health services, shortage of mental health professionals, expansion of telehealth services, broad scope of practice, collaboration with physicians, aging population, increase in mental health awareness, inclusion in healthcare reform, higher education standards, and job satisfaction all contribute to the continued growth of the field.

PMHNPs play a vital role in addressing the mental health needs of patients and are poised to make a significant impact in the healthcare industry. Hopefully, these 10 reasons why the PMHNP field won’t be saturated anytime soon helps reassure you or helps you navigate whatever place you’re at with your PMHNP career.