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.

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

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,

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Traumatic Events

Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC)

Supports SAMHSA efforts to prepare local entities to deliver effective mental health and substance abuse responses to disasters.

Traumatic Events

A Mental Health Nurse’s Perspective on Newtown and Its Aftermath

Blog by Donna Sabella, MEd, MSN, PhD, RN, mental health nurse and AJN contributing editor with tips for acknowledging and processing grief.

Traumatic Events

Mental Health First Aid

From the National Council, a public education live training course that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews

Traumatic Events

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters

From NIMH, a brochure with good advice for communities about how to talk to their kids about a terrible event. (pdf)

Traumatic Events

Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services

SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol that discusses patient assessment, treatment planning strategies, and building a trauma-informed care workforce.

Traumatic Events

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990

Free and confidential helpline that connects caller to the nearest crisis center for information, counseling, and support.

Traumatic Events

Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism

From the Office for Victims of Crime, this toolkit provides tools and resources for developing a victim assistance plan that can be incorporated into a community's emergency response plan.

Traumatic Events

Coping with Grief after Community Violence

A fact sheet from SAMHSA on tips for coping with grief after an incident of community violence, including recognizing the signs of grief and anger, how to cope with grief,

Traumatic Events

Disentangling Mental Illness and Violence

A column from the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association examining how psychiatric-mental health nurses can combat misinformation surrounding acts of mass violence and mental illness

About Graduate Programs

Getting an advanced degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing can add options to your career. Discover more about what it takes to get started here.

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.