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Quality Continuing Education for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses

APNA offers evidence-based, high quality continuing education for psychiatric-mental health nurses that meets ANCC and CNE requirements. Whether you need this education to keep your practice current, earn contact hours for licensure/certification, or gain expertise in a specific psychiatric-mental health nursing topic, APNA is your trusted source for expert vetted, quality continuing education for psychiatric-mental health nurses.


How to earn..

Key APNA Education

Earn ANCC accredited contact hours (formerly CEUs) with these nurse-led options. APNA Members enjoy exclusive free and discounted access.

APNA Annual Conference

Contact Hours: 90+
Earn up contact hours live and on demand with the hundreds of presentations at the premiere event for psychiatric-mental health nursing, held each year in a new destination.

APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute

Contact Hours: 20+ pharmacology
Earn pharmacology contact hours at this flagship event that provides a deep dive into the science and clinical application of psychopharmacology, planned for nurses, by nurses.

APNA eLearning Center

Contact Hours: Varies
Browse on-demand sessions on psychiatric-mental health nursing topics across the spectrum of care and start earning contact hours now.

APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Program

Contact Hours: 5
A structured, evidence-based program to help you apply the essential competencies for nurse assessment and management of suicide risk to your practice, plus focused supplemental courses.

APNA Transitions in Practice Certificate Program

Contact Hours: 15.25
For PMH-RNs new to the field or looking for a refresher, this certificate program provides a structured, evidence-based training on skills essential to psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Motivational Interviewing: Practical Strategies for Nurses

Contact Hours: 3.5
FREE for APNA Members! Learn how to effectively use this foundational skillset in your practice with this 5-part program that offers practical strategies.

Medications For Substance Use Disorders (MSUD) Training

Contact Hours: 8.0
FREE! This 8-hour training for nurses meets the DEA educational requirement to prescribe medication for opioid use disorder.

Competency Based Training for Conducting the One-Hour Face-to-Face Assessment for Persons in Restraint or Seclusion

Contact Hours: 1.5
Learn the key components for assessing a patient placed in restraint or seclusion, including regulatory bodies' parameters and the four main assessment elements.

Effective Treatments for Opioid Use Disorders

Contact Hours: 1.5-3.5
FREE! Two on-demand courses each targeted to RN & APRN scope of practice to support you as you provide care to individuals with Opioid Use Disorders.

Transforming Addiction Care Webinar Series

Contact Hours: 2.0
FREE! Discover how psychiatric-mental health nurses can lead the way in reshaping addiction care through education and clinical practice.

Practical Nursing Strategies in Suicide Prevention

Contact Hours: 1.5
This course provides practical skills to nurses in non-mental health settings, providing an alogithm to screen and provide life-saving interventions for individuals at risk for suicide.

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA)

Free Access to Articles & Contact Hours for APNA Members!

Earn nursing continuing professional development contact hours from articles in JAPNA – new issues available bi-monthly! Here’s how to access the current CE articles available to you:

  • Click the button below and use your APNA account info to log in.
  • Click on the Current Issue button or go to the Nursing Continuing Professional Development Collection.
  • Scroll through the articles to find the FREE CE icon to find articles eligible for continuing education.
  • Click on the article title to read it.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section labeled “Continuing Education.”
  • Follow the instructions to take a post-test and complete an online evaluation. You’ll then be able to print or email your CE certificate!

LOG IN TO JAPNA

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I learn best practices for nurse assessment and management of suicide risk?

You can learn best practices for nurse assessment and management of suicide risk through resources developed by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA).

The APNA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Essential Competencies for Assessment and Management of Individuals at Risk for Suicide establish best practice standards for the nurse’s role in assessment and management of suicide risk.

The APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Program and supplemental courses, designed to operationalize these competencies, provide nurses with the practical skills, clinical judgment, and confidence needed to apply these competencies in clinical settings.

I am interested in purchasing an APNA course or program for a group of nurses. How do I do that and are there discounts available?

APNA offers discounted pricing for organizations and schools that provide educational programs to multiple nurses. When you purchase 10 or more seats, you receive the member price per learner (or an additional discount for programs that offer bulk purchases).


To begin your order, please reach out:

And include:

  • The course or program name(s) you’d like to purchase
  • The number of nurses who will participate
  • Your organization name and contact information

APNA staff will reach out to you to provide a quote, answer any questions, and guide you through next steps. Once payment is received, you’ll receive a unique code to distribute to your learners so each participant can access the program and receive their own certificate.


Commonly Requested Group Courses

APNA Transitions in Practice (ATP) Certificate Program

15.25 Contact Hours

About: A structured program designed to help nurses transition from classroom to clinical practice, or from another area of nursing into psychiatric-mental health nursing. Includes foundational PMH nursing content, case scenarios, quizzes, and reflection activities.
Bulk Purchase Pricing: Purchase seats in blocks of 10 for discounts that increase up to 42% off depending on quantity (as low as $175 per learner for 100+)


APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Program

5 Contact Hours

About: A four-module self-paced program that meets Joint Commission requirements and improves nurse confidence and competence in suicide prevention. Provides a competency-based understanding of the nurse’s role in assessment and management of suicide risk.
Bulk Purchase Pricing: Purchase seats in blocks of 10 for discounts that increase up to 41% off depending on quantity (as low as $59 per learner for 100+).

Tailored Suicide Prevention Courses – Additional Strategies

About: Self-paced modules that expand on the core Suicide Prevention Certificate Program, offering specialized strategies for diverse populations. Learners are encouraged to complete the core certificate before taking these.
Group Pricing: Purchase 10 or more seats for the member price on all courses.


Competency-Based Training for Conducting the One-Hour Face-to-Face Assessment for Persons in Restraint or Seclusion

1.5 Contact Hours

About: Evidence-based training designed to meet regulatory standards for conducting the required one-hour face-to-face assessment for persons in restraint or seclusion.
Group Pricing: Purchase 10 or more seats for the member price on all courses.


Motivational Interviewing: Practical Strategies for Nurses

3.5 Contact Hours

About: A five module course on the foundational communication approach that strengthens motivation for change and enhances therapeutic relationships.
Group Pricing: FREE for APNA members; Purchase 10 or more seats for $13 off the $48 nonmember price.


Practical Nursing Strategies in Suicide Prevention

1.5 Contact Hours

About: Designed for nurses in non-mental health settings, provides practical, evidence-based nursing strategies to support the identification and care of individuals at risk for suicide.
Group Pricing: Purchase 10 or more seats for the member price on all courses.


Next Steps

Contact APNA to get your group purchase started!

Email:
APNA Transitions in Practice Certificate Bulk Purchases: atp@apna.org
APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Bulk Purchases: grouporders@apna.org
Group Pricing on APNA Courses: grouporders@apna.org

Phone: (855) 863-2762

Once we hear from you, APNA will:
  • Send you an invoice based on the number of seats requested.
  • Upon payment, provide your discount code and registration instructions for learners.
  • Help address technical difficulties and learner questions, as well as provide status updates upon request.

Has APNA developed standards for psychiatric-mental health nursing practice?

APNA collaborates with ANA and ISPN to develop and publish psychiatric-mental health nursing standards for both RN and advanced practice nurses. An eBook version of the Scope and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is available to APNA members as a part of membership. A hard copy can be also purchased through APNA, with discounted pricing for members. Visit the APNA online store for more information or to purchase a copy.

Learn More: Scope and Standards of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

How do I get help with questions?

Reach out to APNA at 855-863-2762 or email inform@apna.org to be connected with a staff member who can help.