Symposium Breakfast | 1 Contact Hours Provided
7:15AM – 8:45AM Mountain
Successfully Transitioning to Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia
Enjoy an engaging presentation addressing current LAI treatment guidelines and their basis, effective methods of shared decision-making and patient-centered interviewing to understand preferences and motivators, and a discussion of needs for preparing clinics to provide for injectable administration. Faculty will demonstrate accurate LAI injection techniques before learners are provided the opportunity to practice the techniques via a mobile-device read 3D simulation.
This activity is provided by Real World CE, LLC. Supported by an independent educational grant from Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.
*Evaluation administered and contact hour certificate awarded by symposium provider.
Lightning Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours
9:00AM – 9:50AM Mountain
8:00AM PT | 11:00AM ET
4011: Leadership
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Development of a Mental Health Technician Residency Program RN
This presentation describes a Mental Health Technician residency developed through academic-practice collaboration to address psychiatric workforce shortages. Learn how structured onboarding improved preparedness and safety in inpatient behavioral health care.
Presenters: Natalie Ramirez, BSN RN BC; Kenneth Pierce
Compassionate Leadership in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Improving Wellness, Advancing Care, and Supporting Thriving RN APRN
This presentation discusses compassionate leadership to improve wellness, advance patient care, and support environments in which PMHNs can thrive. Using case examples, participants will be immersed in scenarios to learn and recognize the impact of compassionate care as integral to PMHN leadership.
Presenter: Chizimuzo Okoli, PhD, MPH, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
4012: Medicine Management
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Polypharmacy Management in Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Implications for Psychiatric Nursing Practice RN
Older adults receiving psychotropic medications are at high risk for polypharmacy-related complications. This systematic review examines deprescribing and Beers Criteria use and highlights the essential role of psychiatric nurses in identifying medication risks and improving patient safety.
Presenter: Nkem Chiedu, MSN, RN
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
May be eligible for pharmacology contact hours.
Use of a Medication Reminder App to Improve Medication Adherence in Adults with DSM-5-Tr Neurodevelopmental and Mood Disorders RN APRN
This presentation describes a study exploring use of a medication reminder app in adults with DSM-5-TR psychiatric disorders. Prescription refill data are used to explore whether app use is associated with changes in medication adherence, informing measurement-based psychiatric nursing practice.
Presenter: Patti Gardner, DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
May be eligible for pharmacology contact hours.
4013: Inpatient
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Resilience by Design: A Structured Daily Coping Skill & Discharge Toolbox Intervention in Adult Inpatient Psychiatry RN
Resilience by Design transforms inpatient psychiatry by integrating daily coping skill teaching and a take-home toolbox into routine care. Outcome data showed improved coping confidence and discharge preparedness, offering a scalable framework to strengthen emotional regulation and self-efficacy.
Presenters: Juliana Ferrara, BSN, RN, PMH-BC; Samantha Fortinash, BSN, RN, PMH-BC
Lock It Down: Protecting Our Patients Through Effective Contraband Management RN
This session explores gaps in contraband management within inpatient psychiatric settings and introduces a nurse- and technician-led competency model to improve consistency and safety. Interactive examples and outcome data highlight practical strategies to reduce safety events and strengthen practice.
Presenters: Loren Hernandez, MHT; Natalie Ramirez, BSN RN – BC
4014: Education
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Embedding Readiness Into Practice: A Gamified Strategy for Psychiatric Nursing Education RN APRN
This podium session introduces the Wheel of Readiness, a gamified education strategy that transforms required content into meaningful learning. Participants will explore how interactive methods enhance clinical skill development, embed regulatory standards, and sustain readiness in psych practice.
Presenters: Brendon Bloomfield, RN; Kelly Brevik, M.S.N., M.B.A., R.N.; Andrea Petrash, M.S.N., R.N., PMH-BC; Hannah Larsen, RN
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
Emotional Imprinting and Stigma in Healthcare: Introducing the Care+ Model for Educational Intervention. RN APRN
Explore the CARE+ Model, an innovative framework designed to reduce stigma, address countertransference, and strengthen trauma-informed engagement in behavioral health. Learn how emotional awareness and reflective practice can improve care for individuals with SUD and dual diagnoses.
Presenter: Valerie Seney, PhD, MA, LMHC, PMHNP-BC, FNAP
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
4015: Practice
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Enhancing Youth Engagement: Trauma-informed Groups Supported by a Token-reward System and Interdisciplinary Collaboration RN
This presentation explores trauma-informed, patient-centered strategies to enhance group engagement for youth ages 7–17. Case studies, role play, and audience interaction will highlight how redesigned curricula and a supportive token-reward system strengthen safety, connection, and participation.
Presenter: Cynthia Estes, DNP, MHA, RN, PMH-BC, NEA-BC
Turning Challenges Into Strengths: A Resiliency Journey in Restraint & Seclusion Documentation RN
This presentation reviews a nurse-led initiative to improve restraint and seclusion documentation. Participants will explore standardized tools, checklists, audits, and fallout processes, engaging in real-time feedback and discussion to enhance nurse accountability and documentation accuracy.
Presenters: Rodfil Irvin Camacho, RN, MSN, PMH-BC; Shanta Dixon, RN, MSN; Brittanee Lewis, BSN, RN
4016: Research
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
Presented for Sensational Value: Clinicians’ Perspectives on the Impact of Media Portrayals of Dissociative Identity Disorder RN APRN
This interactive presentation will highlight research findings about the impact of media portrayals of dissociative identity disorder (DID) on PMH APRNs who treat DID. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences from their own clinical practice and offer/receive guidance from peers.
Presenter: Briana Snyder, PhD, RN, PMH-BC, CHPN, CNE, RYT 200
Redefining Perinatal Mental Health: A Strengths-Based Model for Father Assessment RN APRN
This session introduces a strengths-based framework for assessing paternal mental health during the perinatal period. Grounded in the Theory of Reciprocal Adaptation, participants will learn practical strategies to identify distress, support adjustment, and integrate father-inclusive assessment.
Presenter: Rachael Schmitz, RN, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PhD
4017: Administration
9:00am – 9:50am Mountain
TBD
Enhancing Nurses’ Activity at the Nursing Station RN
Addressing physical inactivity in the clinical setting is vital to promote PMHNs’ health, improve engagement, and possibly enhance patient care outcomes. A QI project aimed to increase physical activity among PMHNs during seated work periods was introduced, and interventions to increase exercise levels will be discussed.
Presenter: Stacy Horowitz, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, CARN
Impact Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours
10:05AM – 10:50AM Mountain
9:05AM PT | 12:05PM ET
4021: Reslience
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
From Fragmentation to Resilience: Strengths-Based Integrated Behavioral Health Model That Improve Access, Workforce Sustainability, and Patient Outcomes RN APRN
This session examines a strengths-based integrated behavioral health model highlighting the evolving role of PMH nurses in system redesign. Participants will review implementation strategies, outcome dashboards, and scalable frameworks supporting resilient integrated behavioral health care delivery.
Presenter: Michael Valenti, Ph.D., APRN, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC
4022: Special Populations
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
Increasing Resiliency in Chippewa Cree Youth with a Culturally Based Camp – RN APRN
This interactive presentation provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of collaboration and steps in the development of a youth camp to build culturally based interventions to increase resiliency in youth from the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
Presenters: Jamison Lord, PMHNP, DNP; Melody “Chief Eagle Woman” Henry, BA in Education and Leadership; Mary “Earth Eagle Woman” Big Bow, MSW; Michael “Thunder Bird Feather” Geboe, MS of Psychology; Kristin Turner, BS, MS
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
4023: Women’s Health
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
Menopause: Recognizing Hormonal Influences in Psychiatric Care RN APRN
This presentation equips PMH nurses’ with strategies to assess and manage menopause-related mood changes. Integrating strengths-based care, psychopharmacology, and hormone-informed interventions, participants will enhance screening, collaboration, and resilience-focused midlife treatment.
Presenter: Staci Burrell, MSN, APRN, FNP- BC, MSCP
4024: Graduate Education
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
From Supervision to Autonomy: An EPA-Based Blueprint for a PMH-APRN Fellowship RN APRN
This interactive presentation discusses an innovative program to enhance PMH-APRN training to increase competency and confidence. We explore our 1-year fellowship model based on CBME and EPAs for transition to practice. Participants gain a framework for measurable readiness, exploring EPA assessments.
Presenters: Renat Khasanov, MSN, PMHNP-BC, RN; Khatija Paperwalla, MD
4025: Practice
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
A Novel, Integrated Model for Addressing Reproductive Mental Health at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, the Women’s Place Center for Reproductive Psychiatry RN
This presentation will demonstrate how The TCH Pavilion for Women established The Women’s Place Center for Reproductive Psychiatry to address the critical gaps in care for perinatal and reproductive mental health conditions through an integrated, interdisciplinary model.
Presenters: Angela Stinnett, MSN RN PMH-C; Elizabeth Lewis, BSN RN
4026: Professional Topics
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
The Precision Mental Health Frontier: Are You Ready to Bridge the Gap? RN APRN
Today, the question isn’t if genomics will impact your practice, but if you are prepared to lead. The psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurse must be a bridge between science and ethical, person-centered care. The participant will leave with a foundation for integrating genomics into PMH practice.
Presenters: Nicole Perez, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC; Rose Mary Xavier, PhD, MS, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP
Also in Virtual Real-Time.
4027: Safety
10:05am – 10:50am Mountain
Innovating Safety: A Model for Safer Psychiatric Monitoring RN APRN
Is 1:1 observation harmful? In our setting, it was associated with 70% of staff injuries. This session explores how shifting from passive observation to therapeutic engagement, flexible monitoring levels, and an evidence-based harm risk assessment reduced injuries while improving resource allocation.
Presenters: Corinne Murphy, MSN, RN, PHN; Jessica Hermann, BSN, RN, PHN
