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

Children & Adolescents

ADHD Fact Sheets

Fact sheets and infographics for parents and providers from Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)

Children & Adolescents

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know

An overview of the definition, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for ADHD from NIMH.

Native Communities: Alcohol Intervention Review (NativeAIR)

Developed for Tribal and community leaders, educators, and health professionals with research-based info to use in their efforts to reduce the adverse impact of alcohol in their communities.

988 Partner Toolkit

The 988 Partner Toolkit is a resource center for social media, video, print, radio, FAQs, messaging, and other marketing materials that can be used to promote the 988 Suicide &

Children & Adolescents

Eating disorders in adolescent and young adult males: prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment strategies

A literature review examining the prevalence, presentation, assessment, and treatment of adolescent and young adult males with eating disorders, including challenges and differences compared to validated screening tools and female

Children & Adolescents

Eating Disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature

From the Journal of Eating Disorders, a literature review that details the prevalence and risk factors for various eating disorders within subpopulations of the LGBT community, then provides suggestions for

Children & Adolescents

Update on eating disorders: current perspectives on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and youth

Summarizes best practice for pediatric patients with ARFID, including application of DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis, case studies, differentiation between “picky eating,” and clinical and treatment challenges and interventions for

Children & Adolescents

Family-based treatment of eating disorders in adolescents: current insights

Summarizes the role of Family-Based Therapy as an intervention for eating disorders for the adolescent population in various settings, including insights on its implementation and adaptation.

Children & Adolescents

Eating Disorders in Primary Care: Diagnosis and Management

Guidance and tools from the American Family Physicians Journal for providers in the primary care setting. Includes key recommendations related to early identification, prevention, treatment options and monitoring, and recovery.

Children & Adolescents

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Eating Disorders

An overview on signs, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment for eating disorders, followed by shareable multimedia resources and links to ongoing studies.

Children & Adolescents

Eating Recovery Center Events

Free events and continuing education opportunities for families, patients, and healthcare professionals from an eating disorder treatment program with locations around the country.

Children & Adolescents

The Renfrew Center Events

Webinars and online trainings for health professionals from an eating disorder treatment program with locations around the country.