Incorporating the APNA Transitions in Practice Certificate Program into Your PMH Nurse Practice or Organization
The APNA Transitions in Practice Certificate Program (ATP) is a self-paced online curriculum that bridges the gap between education and practice. Including 15.25 NCPD contact hours from five interactive modules to build key skills such as assessment, documentation, and de-escalation, ultimately optimizing success in psychiatric-mental health nursing and improving health care outcomes for persons with mental health disorders.
ATP is right for PMH nurses who are:
- New to or considering employment in psychiatric-mental health nursing
- Looking to refresh and update their PMH nursing practice
- Encountering persons with mental health needs in their current setting
- Educators instrumental in providing orientation to PMH nurses
- Administrators responsible for hiring PMH nurses
Want to hear from a nurse who knows? Donaldson Betts, MBA, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, CEN, is Program Manager for the Behavioral Emergency Support Team (BEST) at Harris Health System in Houston, Texas. He also serves on the APNA Restoring Workplace Safety Task Force and the board of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry (AAEP) . He shares how his organization was positively affected by the training.
APNA: Can you tell us a little about your organization and what led your team to implement the use of the ATP Certificate Program?
Betts: We were looking for ways to expand our team’s knowledge and professional development. I lead a crisis intervention team in Houston, Texas, and we’re always seeking opportunities to learn and grow. The organization’s Vice President, Charlie McMurray-Horton, recommended ATP.
APNA: What did you notice as your team worked through the program and what surprised you?
Betts: What surprised me most was how engaged the team was. Unlike many other training sessions, the learning didn’t stop when the modules ended. I began seeing concepts from ATP show up during de-escalation events and in our weekly staff meetings.
ATP felt different because it has clear real-world application. The team could take what they learned and apply it directly to everyday practice.
APNA: What did your team take away from ATP that has been particularly useful in their day-to-day work with patients?
Betts: Communication was a major takeaway—not only how we communicate with others, but also the messages we give ourselves.
APNA: Did you notice any changes in how staff approached their work, communicated with one another, or thought about transitions in care after completing the certificate program?
Betts: ATP helped build the team’s confidence by reinforcing that many of the de-escalation practices they were already using are supported by research. It also increased awareness of actions that may be well-intended but could unintentionally escalate a situation.
APNA: What would you want other APNA members to know about the ATP program?
Betts: Get it. ATP isn’t like training that stays in the classroom—it translates into real-world practice. I would encourage anyone who routinely works with psychiatric patients to consider it.
There is meaningful, practical value in the program.
APNA: If another organization was considering ATP for its staff or a member was considering the program, what would you tell them and why?
Betts: I would ask them, ‘What are you waiting for?’
To start building a strong foundation for your psychiatric-mental health nursing practice, register for the APNA Transitions in Practice Certificate Program today.
