There’s an unspoken assumption in some healthcare settings that NPs should just stick to the basics. No one may say it outright—but it can show up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways throughout your practice as a PMHNP.
I recently experienced this firsthand while volunteering at a local free clinic that offers care to underserved patients in my city. The clinic is built on a great model—local university students from medical, nursing, and other professional programs provide care under the supervision of experienced providers. Patients get free, high-quality care, and students get meaningful clinical experience.
Sounds ideal, right?
The Problem Beneath the Surface
I was excited to begin volunteering as a supervisor. When I arrived, I was welcomed at the front desk and escorted through the busy clinic to the psychiatry area. But when I was introduced to the psychiatry team—a group of five residents—I was met with blank stares.
They hadn’t been told I was coming. More than that, they didn’t seem to think I should be there.
“We don’t have psych NPs.”
“There’s no one here for you to supervise.”
“We only have medical students.”
All of this said in front of the medical students who were watching the interaction unfold. The message was clear: despite my 8+ years of experience in community mental health, having taken over caseloads from psychiatrists and trained newer NPs, I was still seen as not “qualified” to educate medical students.
More Than Just a Mix-Up
To be fair, logistical mix-ups happen all the time in clinics. And in this case, the clinic’s leadership followed up with a kind phone call and an apologetic email.
But the underlying belief—that NPs stick to the basics and shouldn’t be involved in more advanced clinical education—stuck with me. It isn’t an isolated experience.
The harm in under-estimating NPs
This kind of thinking doesn’t just affect our pride—it affects patient care. Dismissing the skills, insight, and experience of NPs leads to:
- Reduced access to quality mental health care
- Missed opportunities for interdisciplinary learning
- Burnout and frustration among NPs who feel undervalued
- Narrower care models that limit innovation
As PMHNPs, we bring valuable clinical experience, patient-centered approaches, and advanced education to the table. We are more than capable of supervising students, mentoring peers, and leading treatment teams.
We Deserve a Seat at the Table
The idea that NPs should stick to the basics isn’t just outdated—it’s wrong. While our foundation is built on core principles, our scope, skill, and impact extend far beyond that.
If you’ve ever been made to feel “less than” in a clinical setting, you’re not alone. And your role as a PMHNP is critical—not just for your patients, but for the future of mental health care.
Want to build your confidence and clinical skills?
- Start with the free Master Mental Health Training to get a clear, actionable framework for treating mental disorders.
- Check out the Mental Disorders Crash Course – a self-paced, AANP-accredited training for NPs that strengthens your diagnostic and treatment skills.