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

Criminal Justice System

Interventions for Adults With Serious Mental Illness Who Are Involved With the Criminal Justice System

September 2012 study that provides an overview of treatment of those with serious mental illness as well as a comparison chart of typical treatment in prisons, jails, forensic hospitals, incarceration-

Criminal Justice System

Identifying Needs Related to Managing Seriously Mentally Ill Individuals in Corrections

A 2020 National Institute of Justice workshop conducted by experts from various field that focused on identifying needs related to managing individuals with serious mental illness within the justice system.

Criminal Justice System

National Institute of Justice Rated Practices

A searchable and comprehensive list of practices in the criminal justice system that includes a summary and evidence rating for each practice.

Criminal Justice System

Effective Prison Mental Health Services: Guidelines to Expand and Improve Treatment

2004 US Department of Justice online Manual that discusses historical, legal, and ethical matters related to addressing mental illness within the corrections. It includes identifying which inmates require treatment and

Criminal Justice System

Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System

A helpful infographic overview of mental health in the criminal justice system from NAMI.

Criminal Justice System

People with Mental Health Conditions in Corrections

National Institute of corrections data, resource links, and overview.

Words Matter: Recovery-Oriented Language

Mental Health Coordinating Council guide to recovery-oriented language in mental health and human services.

Words Matter: Suicide Language Guide

Guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) on how to talk about suicide in a hopeful, respectful way.

Addiction Language Guide

This “Shatterproof Addiction Language Guide” consists of language recommendations and resources.

APNA Advocacy

APNA actively supports health care reform. To do so, we work with and through a number of coalitions. Explore this page to learn how we are involved.

Grants & Scholarships

Daisy Foundation

Find out more about 3 grants from The Daisy Foundation. (Scan QR codes in the file.)

NASEM: Suicide Prevention in Indigenous Communities

The Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and the Forum for Children’s Well-Being at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a three-part