A Dually Certified Nurse Practitioner Role in a Housing First Location

This article sets forth the innovative model of a dually certified primary care/psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PC/PMHNP) and elucidates Peplau’s nursing roles (rather than her entire theory) as a foundational component of the treatment in people with complex conditions. The case example presented here describes the care of a person with substance use disorder and complex mental and physical disease processes by a PC/PMHNP in a clinic situated within a permanent supported housing community. Rooted in Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations, the PC/PMHNP is a key interdisciplinary team member in transforming needed treatment solutions for this challenging population •Homeless people have complex substance use, physical and mental disease processes.•Treatment of these individuals is typically costly, inadequate, and complex.•Dually certified nurse practitioners are prepared to meet these treatment challenges.•Peplau’s nursing roles are foundational to the treatment process.