Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Resources

A collection of resources curated for psychiatric-mental health nurses: From toolkits to graduate school listings, the APNA Resource Center is your first access point for information on topics across the spectrum of psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Scroll down to browse through the resources, filter the resource library down to a specific topic by selecting one of the topics, or simply use the search bar to search by keyword.

APNA Resource Library

APNA Position Papers

White papers that advance PMH nursing by discussing topics of vital interest to the profession and advocating for solutions or potential paths to address concerns.

APNA Issue Statements & Reports

APNA publications addressing issues of important to PMH nurses, including nurse well-being, workforce, DEI, workplace violence, and more.

APNA Essentials of Caring for Persons Who Are Diagnosed with Personality Disorders

Recovery-based resource to assist nurses in caring for those who meet the criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis, as well as help nurses avoid judgment and decrease stigma. Created

Sexual & Gender Minority

APNA Care of Sexual & Gender Minority Individuals Info & Resources

An overview of disparities, care considerations, and available resources to support care of this population.

EducationPMH-APRN

APNA Guidance Regarding Precepting and Mentorship

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) receives periodic inquiries seeking advice on the procurement of preceptors and mentors, as well as what role APNA plays in the process. Below is

EducationGraduate

APNA Graduate Education Faculty Toolkit

Organized by the domains of the AACN Essentials (2021), this toolkit provides in-depth resources, best practices, and key insights to help faculty foster critical thinking and advanced skills in

APNA Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treatment Considerations

Over several decades, research has shown that ketamine has antidepressive properties. Ketamine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia,

SafetySafe Environments

APNA Key Components of Safety

A collection of resources selected by the APNA Council for Safe Environments to help psychiatric-mental health nurses define safe environments, identify their key components, and implement strategies within their

APNA Mental Health Advocacy Toolkit

Adapted from Neuroscience Nurses AANN Advocacy Toolkit (2014) As trusted healthcare professionals, your voice is important in influencing and empowering the members of Congress from your state. Without your expertise

Substance UseTobacco & Nicotine

APNA Nursing Competencies for Treating Tobacco Use Disorders

TUD competencies that are consistent with the nursing scope of practice.

Criminal Justice System

APNA Persons with SMI In the Criminal Justice System Resources

Provides an overview of the issue, current practices and recommendations, transitioning from incarceration to the community, and recommendations for incarceration alternatives.

PracticeSuicide Prevention

APNA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Essential Competencies for Assessment and Management of Individuals at Risk for Suicide

These 9 APNA competencies outline the role of the PMH nurse specific to suicide prevention, which includes both systems and patient level interventions.

Substance UsePractice

APNA SBIRT Pocket Card for Nurses

From APNA and Opioid Response Network - Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Pocket Card for nurses. Share with your nursing colleagues!

APNA Seclusion and Restraint Standards of Practice

APNA professional standards of practice related to the use of seclusion and restraint.

APNA Self Care Tips for Nurses

A booklet of tips collected from psychiatric-mental health nurses for practicing self care as a nurse.

Telemental Health

APNA Telemental Health Toolkit

This toolkit offers telemental health pearls and resources around national policy considerations; issues of equity, inclusion, and access; measuring outcomes; logistical concerns; and education strategies.

EducationUndergraduate

APNA Undergraduate Education Faculty Toolkit

For nursing faculty looking for ways to engage students via virtual learning, this toolkit offers a wide array of resources, worksheets, and activities that will help nurse educators provide students

APNA Workforce Reports

APNA reports on the psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce, based on its national survey data.

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA)

A bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarship that contributes both to knowledge development and continuum of care, from mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, to psychiatric treatment

PMH Nurse-Vetted Resources from a Variety of Sources

EducationPMH-APRN

NTF Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 6th Edition

EducationPMH-APRN

APNA Guidance Regarding Precepting and Mentorship

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) receives periodic inquiries seeking advice on the procurement of preceptors and mentors, as well as what role APNA plays in the process. Below is

EducationPMH-APRN

Preceptors and Students: Benefits and Challenges

Podcast recording of a discussion panel at the 2019 APNA Annual Conference.

LACE Statement on APRNs Changing a Population or Role

LACE Statement on APRNs Changing a Population or Role Approved LACE Network Nov. 1, 2021

APNA Position: PMH-APRNs

APNA statement and supporting evidence that PMH-APRNs (CNSs and NPs) share the same core competencies of clinical and professional practice.

CNS Census

Results from a nationwide surveys of CNSs conducted by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Cost Analysis Toolkit: A Business Guide for CNSs

From NACNS, a toolkit to help CNSs use business and cost analysis tools to better describe CNS contributions to healthcare.

Military, Veterans, & Their FamiliesPMH-APRN

Prescribing for Older Veterans with PTSD

An overview of best practices for prescribing to older veterans with PTSD.

Substance UsePMH-RN

Effective Treatments for Opioid Use Disorders

Two free webinars for RNs & APRNs to educate and empower those who provide care to individuals impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Substance UsePractice

General Principles for Use of Pharmacological Agents to Treat Individuals with Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders

SAMHSA 2012 manual with general principles to assist in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of pharmacologic approaches to support the recovery of individuals with co-occurring disorders.

Substance UseTobacco & Nicotine

Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults: Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Interventions

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2015 recommendations about the effectiveness of tobacco smoking cessation services for patients without related signs or symptoms.

Substance UsePMH-APRN

Naloxone Prescription Mandates

A fact sheet that lists state legislation to increase access to the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, including provisions that allow for the distribution of naloxone through pharmacies.