Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Nexus Children's Hospital – Shenandoah is a specialized inpatient hospital providing integrated medical and behavioral health care for children and adolescents with complex psychiatric and co-occurring medical needs. Our interdisciplinary model brings together psychiatry, nursing, therapy, rehabilitation, and case management to deliver truly comprehensive, patient-centered care.

At Nexus, we don't just treat symptoms — we help kids and families rebuild stability and hope, because healing the whole person is what we do.

Position Summary

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and treatment planning for adolescent patients in an inpatient setting. Working under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist, the PNP collaborates closely with an interdisciplinary treatment team to deliver evidence-based psychiatric care aligned with each patient's individualized treatment plan. This role is ideal for a psychiatric NP who is clinically strong, highly collaborative, and passionate about working with adolescents in a structured inpatient environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform initial psychiatric evaluations and ongoing follow-up assessments, including mental status exams and review of collateral information
• Develop, implement, and document individualized psychiatric treatment goals as part of the interdisciplinary treatment plan
• Provide evidence-based psychopharmacological management and monitor therapeutic interventions
• Collaborate closely with psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, rehabilitation staff, and case management to assess treatment effectiveness
• Participate in daily and weekly interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and case conferences
• Support discharge planning and coordination of care to the next level of treatment
• Provide psychoeducation and behavioral management guidance to clinical staff
• Participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives
• Participate in on-call psychiatric coverage by phone as part of the Nexus Physician Group rotation
• Attend meetings with guardians, referral sources, and payers as needed to coordinate care
• Complete accurate and timely documentation and billing sheets
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner or Master's in Nursing with completion of a post-master's NP certification program

Experience

• Preferred: 3–5 years of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Inpatient child/adolescent behavioral health experience strongly preferred

Licensure & Certifications

• Current Texas Registered Nurse (RN) license
• Current Texas Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN-NP) license
• Current BLS certification
• Completion of required behavioral management and de-escalation training
• Certification in behavior management or related (SAMA, ABA, PIP, or similar)

Why Join Nexus?

• Highly specialized inpatient behavioral health program
• Strong physician and interdisciplinary team support
• Mission-driven organization focused on whole-person healing
• Opportunity to work at the top of your psychiatric scope of practice
• Stable census and structured clinical environment