An introductory clinical core course in psychiatric management: an innovative lifespan course blending all nurse practitioner majors.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation is significant in primary care settings across the country. Nonpsychiatric nurse practitioners must be able to recognize symptoms of common psychiatric disorders, know how to treat less complex mental illnesses, and know when to refer to psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).


OBJECTIVE
This article describes the course content, assignments, and teaching strategies used in a clinical core course in the nurse practitioner (NP) curriculum that is required for all NP majors at the University of Texas at Arlington. Psychiatric Management for Advanced Practice provides the foundation for later PMHNP major specific clinical courses.


METHODS
Development of the course content was based on NONPF Domains and Competencies for the NP, input from graduate NP faculty using a modified Delphi approach, NP student feedback, review of curriculum from other schools, and review of the literature on depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders in primary care settings.


CONCLUSIONS
Since 1999, students from the eight different NP programs at the University of Texas at Arlington have been required to take this course. Student, faculty, and graduate feedback about this course have been consistently positive. Many NP students comment on feeling much more comfortable assessing for depression, suicide, and substance use.
Weber
Mary T
MT
Arlington School of Nursing, VA, USA. mweber@uta.edu
Snow
Diane
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009736:Nursing Process; D016730:Program Development; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012381:Role Playing; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D013781:Texas