About Us
Learn more about NP Psych Navigator and our mission to help nurse practitioners improve mental healthcare.
Fundamentals Certificate
Fundamentals of Schizophrenia Certificate Program
This certificate program pairs with the Fundamentals of Schizophrenia article on NP Psych Navigator. Taken together, these resources provide a review of general disease state and treatment information for schizophrenia. To aid in the completion of this certificate, the reader is encouraged to consult the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Fundamentals Certificate
Fundamentals of Bipolar Disorder Certificate Program
This certificate pairs with the Fundamentals of Bipolar Disorder (BP) article on NP Psych Navigator. Taken together, these resources provide a review of general disease state and treatment information for BP. To aid in the completion of this certificate, the reader is encouraged to consult the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Recommended on NP Psych Navigator
Clinical Article
Unrecognized Bipolar Disorder in Patients With Depression Managed in Primary Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Daveney et al explore the characteristics of patients with mixed symptoms, as compared to those without mixed symptoms, in both bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
NP Perspectives
When it comes to giving the best care to your patients, experience matters. Check out our Clinical Insights to hear from our vibrant community of nurse practitioners.
Caregiver Resource
Supporting a Loved One With Major Depressive Disorder
This printable resource offers information on supporting a loved one with major depressive disorder (MDD). It helps educate on the signs that people may notice in their loved ones with MDD, as well as tips for self-care and crisis resources.
Educate Your Patient
Patient Journey Roadmap for Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe mental health condition affecting millions of people worldwide, including about 21 million adults in the United States. Managing MDD can be difficult and frustrating for both patients and providers. This convenient handout includes information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for MDD. You can print this roadmap and share something tangible with your patients when diagnosed with MDD. This can help patients access other helpful resources related to MDD as they consider starting treatment for their MDD.
Caregiver Resource
Encouraging Adherence to Care for People With Schizophrenia
Receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be difficult to understand and accept, both as a caregiver and as a patient, due to stigma surrounding the disease. Caregivers can play a significant role in adherence to care. Even patients who understand their diagnosis still may have questions and concerns, and they can benefit from the support of a caregiver.
Quick Guide for Providers
Psychopharmacology Considerations for Clinical Practice
Finding the right psychotropic medication for your patients may help improve outcomes. When making treatment decisions, clinical practice guidelines and your past experience with medications can help guide your choice. However, when choosing a particular medication, it’s important to consider the many factors that can influence the way different psychotropic agents can affect your patients.
Test Your Knowledge
MDD Treatment Response Evaluation Quiz
When managing major depressive disorder (MDD), assessing response to treatment can be a complex undertaking. Structured clinician- and patient-rated scales have been developed to assist with this task. Test your knowledge on the clinical tools and considerations that can aid your evaluation of treatment response in MDD.
Clinical Article
Effect of Antidepressant Switching vs Augmentation on Remission Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Unresponsive to Antidepressant Treatment: the VAST-D Randomized Clinical Trial
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans. Unfortunately, first-line monotherapy does not adequately address depressive symptoms for some MDD patients. The VA Augmentation and Switching Treatments for Improving Depression Outcomes (VAST-D) trial set out to determine the relative effectiveness and safety of 3 next-step treatments for MDD in patients who failed to respond adequately to at least 1 antidepressant treatment trial of adequate dose and duration. This clinical article summary shares the key findings of this landmark trial.
Test Your Knowledge
Quiz on the VAST-D Study
The VA Augmentation and Switching Treatments for Improving Depression Outcomes (VAST-D) study was a clinical trial designed to elucidate research-based next steps for outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not have an adequate response to standard first-step pharmacotherapy.
Psychiatry Fundamentals
Psychiatry draws upon skills that are essential to the nurse practitioner approach to patient care, empathy, compassion, and understanding. A thorough knowledge of the different mental illnesses complements those skills.