Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Just like other nurse practitioners, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with a license in other US states are allowed to apply for nursing practice in Nevada. Unlicensed Pain Monitoring Program (PMP) nurses must apply by undertaking an examination and must score highly in the National Council Licensure  Examination (NCLEX) ( Dunaway & Running, 2009) . The main requirements for eligibility include analysis and education. Eligibility does denote to having the mental, intellectual, and physical ability to practice Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) in Nevada. Upon being issued with a license, they must work under a physician for a specific period before becoming fully independent. Their nursing practice is guided by the Nevada Board of Nursing programs that stipulate their engagement and nursing practice within the state. Thus, certification and licensing are pegged on passing exams and eligibility. 

With the advent of the increased state by state legislation on PMHNP certification, Nurse Practitioner (NP) employers and third-party insurers have taken a keen interest in practicing with accreditation. Practicing without certification will soon be outlawed by most states, and Nevada is strict on its certification and licensing procedures. Increased professional documentation will be required to streamline state and national accreditation ( Dunaway & Running, 2009) . Without accreditation, professional practice will be minimal, and moving from one region or state to another will be impossible or tricky. At the same time, the perception of changing jobs will be problematic not only in Nevada but all over the United States. More stringent regulations and measures will soon be unveiled by Nevada per the board’s stipulations on PMHNP certification and licensing. 

Working under a Physician 

In Nevada, Nurse Practitioners are not needed to work under the directives of a licensed physician (Nevada Scope of Practice Policy, “n.d”). Having the required credentials and training, in addition to experience, a nursing practitioner receives a waiver from working under a physician. However, it does require outlined procedures of some of the consultations and duties the nurse practitioner undertakes. In Nevada, a nurse practitioner has the complete independent ability, implying that they can practice self-reliant without the need of an oversight physician (Nevada Scope of Practice Policy, “n.d”). 

Reimbursement Rates 

Healthcare reimbursement is gradually changing to a value-based structure whereby nurses are rewarded on their quality of rendered service. Reimbursement rates differ from one mental illness to another. Payment is categorized in codes that include Level II HCPCS, CPT, CPT health behavior, and CPT Psychiatry ( Duncan & Sheppard, 2015) . Medicaid covers some of the codes, while some allow payment. Medicaid does allow for level II systems while some work with individual state Medicaid arrangements. For level I, payment range $70 to $130 ( Duncan & Sheppard, 2015) . Level II in most healthcare facilities is $110, while level III is $211. The reimbursement varies with the healthcare facility. 

Table 1 

Note: Indicates varying reimbursement rates in Nevada from Nevada Scope of Practice Policy - State Profil, (“n.d.”) 

NP rates 

According to Kaplan (2015) t he average salary for NP is approximately $110,500 per year. As compared to other states such as California, the rates are roughly $114,000, and Texas is $108,000. Most NP begins at approximately $110,000 and advances through the certification exam ( Kaplan, 2015) . The rates are approximately $59.87 hourly. The table below indicates the prices as compared to other providers. 

Table 2 

Note: Indicates varying Reimbursement rates for compliant providers in different county are as compared to Nevada from Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (“n.d.”). 

Roadmap to passing the exam 

My first step will be to learn more about the credentials required, in addition to the exam's eligibility. I will connect with other students through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to keep informed of the on-going trends. 

The second step is to join a like-minded group or movement identified with the exam. The group will help me explore more about the exam and credentials required. I will schedule my exam dates effectively in line with the exam policies. 

Step three: Gather supplemental and core resources. These will include essential resource books and journals essential for the exam. 

Step Four: Prepare and sit for the examination. I will prepare well for the exam by reviewing all the requirements as stipulated by the exam center. I will strive for a higher pass. 

References 

Division of Health Care Financing and Policy. (n.d.). FEE SCHEDULES. Retrieved from http://dhcfp.nv.gov/Resources/Rates/FeeSchedules/. 

Dunaway, L. J., & Running, A. (2009). Job satisfaction as self ‐ care within a restrictive regulatory environment: Nevada's study.  Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners ,  21 (10), 557-564. 

Duncan, C. G., & Sheppard, K. G. (2015). The full practice authority initiative: Lessons learned from Nevada.  The Journal for Nurse Practitioners ,  11 (6), 610-617. https://repository.arizona.edu/bitstream/handle/10150/337306/etd_13571_sip1_m.pdf?sequence=1 

Kaplan, L. (2015). HR 2. fixes more than Medicare reimbursement rates for NPs.  The Nurse Practitioner ,  40 (9), 14. 

Nevada Scope of Practice Policy - State Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2019, from http://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/states/nv/.