Many thanks for your warm welcome to advanced practice psychiatric nurses (APNs) and for recognizing our need for clinical information (Current Psychiatry, January 2005).
As Dr. Hillard noted, many psychiatrists refuse to accept APNs even though we offer crucial support to psychiatrists, especially to those practicing in rural, underserved areas.
APNs are teammates to—not replacements for—psychiatrists.
For the record, my supervisor—who is also my consulting psychiatrist—is very supportive of my career. I hope that someday many other APNs will be as fortunate as nursing’s relationship with psychiatry evolves.
Cynthia Baugh, CNS
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
McAlester, OK