Nursing Field Experience:

6635 (PMHNP)

PRAC 6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning

• Types of Patients: Patients receiving care for psychiatric and substance-use disorders, across the lifespan, to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults*
• Types of Services: Assessment and diagnosis of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with acute and chronic psychiatric and substance use disorders
• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or Board-Certified Psychiatrist
• Possible Site Choices: Psychiatric private practice; community psychiatric and/or counseling center; crisis centers; drug/alcohol rehabilitation center; college counseling center; behavioral health employee assistance program (EAP) sites; assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility; psychiatric inpatient hospital or specialty psychiatric/substance use care facility; jails/prison under behavioral health treatment providers; or any other site where psychiatric assessment and diagnosing takes place (to be determined on an individual basis)*
• Nonacceptable Sites: Any form of community and/or home visits
• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PMHCNS, or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner; no PAs; and no psychotherapists, psychologists, or MSWs
• Requirements: 160 hours;  A minimum of 80 patient encounters are required
  Note: Of those minimum 80 encounters, at least five patient encounters must be with age populations of children and/or adolescents and at least five patient encounters must be with age populations of adults and/or older adults. Must be in practicum setting minimum of 8 weeks.

*Students must be able to see patients across the lifespan to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. If the primary preceptor only sees adult clients, a secondary preceptor will be needed in order to complete the requirements for children and/or adolescent experiences. Sometimes this can be another provider in the same office as the primary preceptor. Or multiple sites may be required to see the types of patients and services required for this course. Students would need each preceptor and/or field site approved applications.