nurse practitioner blog
Explore a wide range of topics from evidence-based
mental health practices to
real-world applications

Helping you stay informed and confident in your practice, whether you’re navigating the challenges of starting out in the field as a new psychiatric nurse practitioner or looking for more insights to enhance patient care, the Stress Free Psych NP Blog offers practical advice, expert tips, and a supportive community dedicated to your professional growth and success.
Diagnose Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I vs II Differences
A bipolar I disorder diagnosis is easy to make or rule out early—if you understand the diagnostic criteria. If you're a PMHNP or other mental health provider, always start by ruling out mania. To accurately diagnose bipolar disorder, look for a history of mood...
FDA Approval of Zuranolone for Postpartum Depression Treatment
In August 2023, the FDA approved zuranolone postpartum depression treatment, a new option for managing symptoms quickly and effectively. What makes zuranolone unique is its rapid onset and short treatment course—just two weeks. Zuranolone is taken orally and is...
What All Antipsychotic Medications Have in Common
If you’re a psych NP or student trying to get a better grasp on antipsychotic medications, one foundational concept is that all antipsychotics modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission, within certain parts of the brain. This is the core mechanism of action across all...
Bipolar I vs II: Understanding Key Diagnostic Differences
Do You Know the Difference Between Bipolar I vs II? Let’s Test It. Understanding the difference between bipolar I vs II disorder is critical in clinical practice—especially when selecting appropriate treatments. This quick quiz will test your knowledge and help you...
What to Do When Patients Refuse Nurse Practitioner Care
I have a very clear memory of a time I felt completely out of place in my nurse practitioner role. And surprisingly, it didn’t happen in my first few weeks on the job—it was nearly a year into practice when a patient reminded me just how tough it can be when patients...
Use SSRI Half Lives to Strengthen Your Prescribing Practice
Many psychiatric nurse practitioners (maybe even you?!) fall comfortably into the Type A camp—I know I do. But even the most detail-oriented among us can feel uncertain about selecting the right medication. Since we prescribe antidepressants so frequently,...
Claire’s depth of knowledge and personal experiences have made her an invaluable resource for our listeners. She consistently delivers practical, actionable advice that empowers mental health providers to overcome the challenges of the profession.
Download the Free SSRI Snapshot

Reframe how you think of each SSRI and more easily select appropriate treatment with your patients.