Refer to the Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies? found in the Week 1 Learning Resources and consider the quality measures or indicators advanced nursing practice nurses must

Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or need supervision to feel confident)

New (Have never performed or does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in: 

Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan

X

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions 

X

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies) 

X

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

X

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

X

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

X

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

X

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5 based on assessment data 

X

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

X

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for medication plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management) 

X

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary 

X

Documenting (e.g., adverse reaction, the patient response, changes to the plan of care)

X

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

X

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management, modality appropriate for situation) 

X

Applies age appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals, families, and/or groups

X

Develop an age appropriate individualized plan of care

X

Provide psychoeducation to individuals, family, and/or groups

X

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

X

Self-Assessment skills:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

X

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

X

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

X

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

X

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings 

X

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

X

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

X

Practices within scope of practice

X

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation 

X

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

X

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

X

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

X

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

X

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

X

I believe one of my strengths is that my experience with mental health illness has helped me recognize clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illnesses. It also helps me identify different diagnosis in individuals. I am competent in performing functional assessments. I give respect to everyone regardless of their culture or religion which helps them feel comfortable around me and provide me accurate information that helps me with preparing their treatment plan.

This clinical rotation will provide me the opportunity to grow primarily in psychotherapy. I will be learning the different modalities of therapy and will learn how I can provide psycho education to the different individuals, family, and/or groups. By spending these next 11 weeks in this practicum, I will gain the knowledge to build my confidence in the field and will become more familiar with how to best work with the different types of therapy.

1. Goal: My primary goal for the next 11 week rotation is to familiarize myself with psychotherapy and identify the three populations which include individuals, groups, and families.

a. Objective: I will strengthen my skills by reading and reviewing course material to strength my knowledge with psychotherapy skills.

b. Objective: To characterize with one-on-one interactions with patients under my preceptor supervision.

c. Objective: To provide multiple psychotherapy treatment plans under my preceptors supervision.

2. Goal: My second goal by the end of this clinical rotation is to learn more about the differences between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Supportive Therapy, etc.

a. Objective: Learn the difference between all the above listed therapies by using the necessary tools to differentiate them all.

b. Objective: Familiarize myself with the situation and how to reevaluate the situations.

c. Objective: Implement appropriate therapy treatment with my preceptors assistance.

3. Goal: My third goal is to feel confident by the end of the rotation to be able to perform multiple therapy sessions alone without any difficulties.

a. Objective: I will familiarize myself with psychotherapy being used in combination with medications and/or other therapy techniques.

b. Objective: Be able to ask my preceptor questions and discuss the clinical session.

c. Objective: Be a good listener and provide supportive measures to my the patients.