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APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute

Psychopharmacology Education Planned for Nurses, by Nurses for More Than 20 Years

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute is an annual, nurse‑focused conference that translates cutting-edge psychopharmacology and neuroscience into clinical practice for psychiatric-mental health nurse prescribers. Attend this June 4-7 in person or online to earn up to 31.25 ANCC‑accredited pharmacology contact hours.

The CPI attendee event site is open through the evaluation deadline of June 22!
Go to My CPI Site

Session Recordings Coming Soon

June 4-7, 2026
Reston, VA or Virtual

Earn up to 30+ pharmacology contact hours

Join your nursing colleagues to hear from leading experts on the latest breakthroughs in psychiatric medications, treatment strategies, and person-centered clinical decision-making, including:

Wilson Compton
Keynote: Cannabis and Mental Health: Complexities in Contemporary Psychopharmacologic Practice

Wilson Compton, MD, MPE, Deputy Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health

  • Anyi Atabong, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, PMH-C on treatment & therapeutic alliance for bipolar disorders
  • Jared Vega, JD, PMHNP-BC on legal considerations/documentation
  • Kirby Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC on drug induced movement disorders

Explore the Program

“CPI offers so much more than just contact hours. It offers camaraderie & up-to-date evidence-based knowledge presented with humor, professionalism, and compassion. If you do one thing for yourself this year, make it a point to sign up for CPI to learn more for your practice — to better yourself for you, for your patients, and for your colleagues!”
– Dorraine Baker Webb, PMHCNS, ANP BC

Why Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Love CPI:

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Build Clinical Confidence.  Connect With Your People.

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI) is a deep-dive educational experience designed specifically for psychiatric–mental health nurses who want more than surface-level updates. This is where evidence meets real-world practice — and where nurses leave feeling confident, connected, and energized.

Connection & Community

Join a national community of PMH nurses who understand the complexity of this work. Many attendees say CPI helps them feel less alone and more confident in their role.

Review the program!

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Clinical Depth Without the Overwhelm

Go beyond medication lists and algorithms. CPI offers nuanced, evidence-based psychopharmacology education grounded in real clinical scenarios.

Practice-Ready Learning

Walk away with real-world tools you can apply Monday morning — from safer prescribing and deprescribing strategies to managing complex presentations and side effects.

Education Designed for Nurses

This institute is built by and for psychiatric–mental health nurses. The content reflects nursing priorities, patient advocacy, and person-centered clinical care.

Connect with high-caliber faculty!

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Flexible Attendance Options: 
Attend in the way that works best for you:

In Person

See you in Reston, Virginia
for Immersive learning &
Face-to-face networking

Virtual

High-quality livestream access
Interactive sessions and Q&A
Learn from anywhere

Earn Pharmacology CE

Up to 30.25 Pharmacology Contact Hours availible

Contact Hours & Learning Details!

A Tribute to Mary Ann Nihart

Mary Ann Nihart, MA, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, a former APNA President and Chair of the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute Program Committee, passed away in December 2025. This video was screened at the 2026 APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute to honor her legacy and impact within APNA and the broader psychiatric-mental health nursing community.

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What is the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI) delivers psychopharmacology education to professionals looking to provide the best possible care to their patients. CPI prioritizes the integration of psychopharmacology and neuroscience into clinical practice. It offers the scientific base for treatment decisions and addresses the context of care within the nurse/consumer/family relationship.

Who should attend the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute is appropriate for RN-PMH and advanced practice psychiatric nurses (PMH-NP & PMH-CNS) – especially those who administer and/or prescribe medications. Because CPI is always planned for nurses, by nurses, the program provides a depth and breadth of scientific information tailored to the challenges inherent in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. All other health care providers interested in psychopharmacology are welcome for advanced study, especially fellow nurses, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists.

What’s the difference between the APNA Annual Conference and the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI)?

The APNA Annual Conference, held each fall in a new destination, is the largest gathering of psychiatric-mental health nurses in the U.S. each year. It covers a wide range of psychiatric-mental health nursing topics, from clinical practice and education to leadership, policy, and research. The program is created through an open call for abstracts and peer review process. With hundreds of sessions and poster presentations to choose from, it offers nursing continuing professional development for every PMH nurse, no matter their licensure, level of experience, or work setting.

The APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute(CPI), held each spring in the DC area, focuses specifically on the science and application of psychopharmacology within a nursing context. It offers a curated program planned for nurses, by nurses that dives deep into evidence-based medication management and neuroscience. It is especially valuable for advanced practice nurses, such as PMHNPs, seeking to deepen their expertise and earn pharmacology contact hours, as well as other clinicians who prescribe.

Both conferences can be attended virtually or in person and registration includes access to on demand session recordings afterwards.

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APNA 2024 - Thursday-296

Save the Dates for these Upcoming APNA National Conferences

APNA members receive massive discounts on registration for these events!

Your dynamic community of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.

Connect with fellow psychiatric-mental health nurses, be the first to know about evidence-based resources and programs, and participate in exclusive opportunities to advance the care and treatment of those with mental health & substance use needs.

JOIN TODAY MEMBER COMMUNITY

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