Christina Blake is a board certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She received her undergraduate Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate.  She then decided to grow her breath of knowledge and training and obtained her Master's of Science in Nursing specializing in mental health from Eastern Kentucky University.  She is an adjunct faculty member at EKU, teaching the next generation of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

Q: What is a PMHNP?

A: A nurse practitioner whose training is in mental health. PMHNPs are board certified by the ANCC and licensed by the state to diagnose, prescribe prescription medications, and provide supportive therapies.

Q: How many years of training does a PMHNP have?

A: Four years of undergraduate nursing school and 3 years in graduate nurse practitioner school, which includes clinical rotations in multiple mental health settings with children, adolescents, adults and older adults. PMHNPs typically have extensive registered nursing experience prior to being licensed as a PMHNP.

Q: What can you do?

A: Diagnose, prescribe medications/supplements, perform testing, and provide supportive therapies.

Q: What is the difference between a PMHNP and a Psychiatrist?

A: A PMHNP is an advanced practice nurse with board certification in mental health. A psychiatrist is a physician who may be board certified in psychiatry.