Mental Health Nurse Practitioner joins FirstHealth Behavioral Services

PINEHURST -- Amy Scribben has never forgotten the kindness and compassion her family received from a group of nurses in the moments just after her brother's death.

"They sat with us for what seemed like hours, helping console us in our time of need," says Scribben. "I believe their compassion and their act of just being with us during that time helped me find my calling to help individuals and families in their own time of need."

Amy Scribben, PMHNP

Scribben, who recently joined FirstHealth Behavioral Services as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) in both Pinehurst and Rockingham, has always had an interest in nursing.

She comes from a family of nurses, including her mother, who is a psychiatric nurse. "I have always had an interest in nursing, especially psychiatric nursing," says Scribben. "It's important to me that I keep the patient at the forefront of my practice, to provide holistic, cost-effective care for the patient and their family."

The Ohio native also believes in a team approach to care that focuses on her patients' strengths. "I stress to my patients that my office is a safe, judgment-free zone for them and their families," says Scribben. "We are a team working together to achieve the individual goals they have set for themselves."

Scribben brings more than 10 years of nursing experience to her role with FirstHealth. Since 2017, Scribben worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio, and previously served in the same role with practices in Akron and Cleveland. She began her career as a medical surgical nurse before entering the mental health nursing field.

Scribben eventually returned to school, earning a master's degree in nursing from the University of Akron. She also completed a fellowship in public and community psychiatry as well as a community psychiatry nurse practitioner externship, both from Case Western Reserve University.

"In my five years as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I have had some amazing opportunities to work with patients across the life span," says Scribben. "I've had the chance to work in a variety of settings, both inpatient and outpatient, as well as out in the community." She is excited to apply the knowledge and experience she has gained so far as she cares for patients here in the Sandhills. "I was ready for a change, and I felt that FirstHealth fits my philosophy and style of practice. I love the fact that FirstHealth values the input and experience of its staff, and I look forward to sharing what I have learned along the way to continue to improve patient care."

Relocating to North Carolina will give Scribben and her husband more opportunities to enjoy their favorite activities. "We love the warm weather, the ocean, fishing, four-wheeling, motorcycling, and bike riding," she says. "We have two children, a two-year-old daughter and an eight-month-old son, and we wanted to move out of the cold to spend more time outside doing the things we love with them. I'm looking forward to a slower pace and strong sense of family values."

To schedule an appointment with Amy Scribben, PMHNP, contact FirstHealth Behavioral Services at (910) 715-3370.