St. Paul’s Center’s clinical services are staffed entirely by board certified psychiatric nurse practitioners. A nurse practitioner (NP) is a health care professional licensed by the state to practice in a specific field. Nurse practitioners are all registered nurses who have completed some level of graduate study and training, either a Masters or Doctorate education.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are able to autonomously conduct assessments, conduct therapy, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, provide education, refer and collaborate with other professionals. In New York, nurse practitioners collaborate with a psychiatrist, though generally practice independently.

St. Paul’s Center chooses to staff itself with nurse practitioners, as they are considered to have a unique experience at the community level as well as the training, psychiatrically and otherwise, to holistically meet the needs of the homeless and chronically mentally ill.