by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jan 6, 2026 | Career Advice, Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
I remember my first day as a psych NP like it was yesterday. After accepting a job in community mental health, I was given my very own office for the first time. It should have felt exciting. But mostly? I was terrified. My very first patient was a young woman with an...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Dec 18, 2025 | Thoughts and Reflections, Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
Every NP has had that moment—questioning their skillset, second-guessing a decision, or feeling like there’s still so much to learn. If that’s where you are now, know this: you’re not alone, and you’re likely growing in ways you don’t even realize. So, what truly...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Oct 9, 2025 | Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
One of the more stressful aspects of being a nurse practitioner that I certainly didn’t feel prepared for during my MSN program was managing patient medication requests. Especially when patients demand specific medications or try to dictate the course of treatment....
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Sep 9, 2025 | Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
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...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Aug 21, 2025 | Clinical support resources, Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
If you’re anything like me, one of the most frustrating parts of being a PMHNP is documentation. Psychiatric charting templates can make all the difference. Charting can quickly become the bane of your existence when you’re juggling back-to-back patients,...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Sep 3, 2024 | Career Advice, Transition into Practice Tips & Resources
I’ve been a psych NP for the past 7 years and have had the opportunity to work in many different settings. Mostly because I’m really curious about what mental health treatment looks like in different places (for patients and for NPs). This curiosity has led me to...