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.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence: Background for APNA Members

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to enhance productivity, creativity, and decision-making across domains. However, the use of AI tools requires careful consideration of accuracy, privacy, bias, intellectual property, and

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

Neurocrine Biosciences

Neurocrine Biosciences is a neuroscience-focused, biopharmaceutical company with 28 years of experience discovering and developing life-changing treatments for people with serious, challenging and under-addressed neurological, endocrine and

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Mental Health Service Use among Adults

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers this chart book which reports estimates of mental health service use among adults in the United States within different racial and ethnic

Drugs: Shatter the Myths

NIDA booklet answers teens most frequently asked questions about drugs and abuse with scientific facts and engaging images.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

NIDA booklet provides scientific info about disease of drug addiction, including harmful consequences of drug abuse and basic approaches developed to prevent and treat the disease.

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.

Treatment Improvement Protocol 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

This guideline, released by SAMHSA in May 2020, provides information on clinical best practices for using medication-assisted treatment to combat the opioid epidemic.

SAMHSA Publication Update – Medications

This 2020 Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) reviews the use of the three FDA approved medications methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphineand the other strategies and services needed to support recovery.

SAMHSA Issue Brief: The Opioid Crisis and the Hispanic/Latino Population: An Urgent Issue

July 2020 Data on prevalence of opioid misuse in the Hispanic/Latino population as well as outreach and engagement strategies to connect people to evidence-based treatment.

Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist

Developed for VA Hospitals to use to review inpatient mental health units to identify and abate environmental hazards that could increase the chance of patient suicide or self-harm. In-

Military, Veterans, & Their Families

Veterans Online Self-Help Resource Center

Created by the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services, offers confidential, free, online services to help veterans address challenges associated with transitioning to civilian life.

Military, Veterans, & Their Families

Wounded Warriors Project

Takes a holistic approach when serving warriors and their families to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement - offers programs, support, and resources.

Military, Veterans, & Their Families

Veterans Employment Toolkit

Helps employers, managers and supervisors, and HR support Veterans in the workplace to increase Veterans retention of employment and facilitate their success in the workplace.