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.
Psychiatric Deprescribing: Where Do You Start?
Have you ever had a patient show up on ten different psych medications—and none of them seem to be working? They’re struggling. You know psychiatric deprescribing needs to happen, but the problem is: Where do you even begin? Adjust One Medication at a Time I had a...
What to Know About Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) refers to a group of lingering psychological and mood-related symptoms that may continue for months—or even years—after the acute withdrawal phase ends. Although it’s not recognized as an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, PAWS is...
Tapering Benzodiazepines Safely in Anxiety
Imagine inheriting a patient who has been on Xanax for many years. Since Xanax isn't an evidence-based long-term treatment for anxiety, and your patient remains very anxious, it’s clear that something needs to change. This is where tapering benzodiazepines becomes a...
NeuroStar TMS for Adolescents: FDA Approval
A significant advancement in psychotropic treatments is NeuroStar TMS receiving FDA approval for adolescents ages 15 and up. This makes it the first and only TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy cleared as an adjunct treatment for adolescents. TMS was...
Starting Out as a New Nurse Practitioner
Several years ago, I received my very own office for the first time. I had a desk, a computer, a big comfy swiveling chair, and privacy—a real office with a door. It felt surreal. This was my first job as a new nurse practitioner. A New Chapter Begins The first few...
What’s the Biggest Concern with Lithium and NSAIDs?
Your patient is taking Prozac and Lithium—what worries you most? A. They smoke cigarettes 2 PPD B. They are on oral contraceptives C. They are on long-term, high-dose ibuprofen D. They drink 5 beers per week Did you get it right? Why Smoking Isn’t the Biggest Issue...
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.
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