NRNP 6675 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
NRNP 6675 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
(3 credits)
Course Description
This capstone didactic course is designed for nurse practitioner students to synthesize their knowledge and clinical skills to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex psychiatric-mental health conditions across the lifespan. Building on NRNP 6665 (Care Across the Lifespan I), students focus on advanced psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, diagnostic formulation, appropriate testing, and integrated treatment planning that combines psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic approaches. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based management of common and complex disorders, legal/ethical issues, cultural competence, and preparation for independent practice as a PMHNP. Through case studies, focused SOAP notes, patient presentations, discussions, and a study plan for certification, learners develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills for safe, high-quality, cost-effective care.
Prerequisites: NRNP 6665 (or equivalent); typically taken as the final NRNP didactic course.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Synthesize advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills across the lifespan.
Develop comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans integrating psychotherapy and psychopharmacology.
Analyze ethical, legal, and regulatory issues affecting PMHNP practice.
Evaluate complex psychiatric cases and formulate differential diagnoses.
Prepare for national certification and entry into advanced PMHNP practice.
The course is structured over 11 weeks.
Week 1: Certification and Licensure; PMHNP Professional Role
Weekly Notes:
Overview of the PMHNP role, national certification (ANCC/AANP), state licensure requirements, practice agreements, and regulatory barriers. Focus on scope of practice, collaborative agreements (where required), and transitioning from student to independent practitioner.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Discuss certification and licensure requirements for PMHNPs in your state (or intended state of practice).
Identify any barriers to independent practice and strategies to address them. Include potential collaborative agreements and reimbursement issues.
Weekly Assignment:
Discussion: Main post by Day 3 + responses to at least two colleagues by Day 6.
(Post a detailed Certification and Licensure Plan based on your state regulations.)
Week 2: Study Plan Development and Initial Case Evaluation
Weekly Notes:
Review and revision of personal study plan for PMHNP certification. Introduction to advanced E/M coding and psychiatric patient evaluation. Focus on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation templates.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
N/A (assignment-heavy week).
Weekly Assignments:
Assignment 1: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Patient Case Study – Complete a psychiatric patient evaluation template, assign DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 codes, and answer narrative questions (typically 3–5 pages).
Assignment 2: Revised Study Plan – Update your previous study plan from NRNP 6665 with new SMART goals for this course and certification preparation.
Week 3: Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and Related Disorders (Child/Adolescent Focus)
Weekly Notes:
Advanced management of anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD across ages, with emphasis on developmental considerations in children and adolescents. Trauma-informed care and integrated treatment.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Discuss challenges in differentiating anxiety/PTSD/OCD and selecting first-line treatments.
Weekly Assignment:
Focused SOAP Note for a child/adolescent case involving anxiety, PTSD, or OCD. Include subjective/objective data, assessment, and plan with rationale for psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
Week 4: Mood Disorders
Weekly Notes:
In-depth coverage of depressive disorders, bipolar spectrum, and related conditions. Focus on suicide risk assessment, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and monitoring for complex presentations.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Compare treatment approaches for major depressive disorder vs. bipolar disorder in different age groups.
Weekly Assignment:
Focused SOAP Note and Patient Case Presentation for a mood disorder case.
Week 5: Schizophrenia Spectrum, Psychotic, and Medication-Induced Movement Disorders
Weekly Notes:
Assessment and long-term management of psychotic disorders. Side effect monitoring (e.g., EPS, tardive dyskinesia), atypical antipsychotics, and clozapine protocols.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
N/A.
Weekly Assignment:
Focused SOAP Note for schizophrenia spectrum or related psychotic disorder.
Week 6: Midterm Review and Personality/Paraphilic Disorders
Weekly Notes:
Midterm preparation. Exploration of personality disorders and paraphilic disorders, including challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Ethical considerations in treating personality disorders.
Weekly Assignment:
Midterm Exam (covers Weeks 1–5 content).
Week 7: Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders
Weekly Notes:
Management of behavioral disorders in children/adolescents and neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia) in older adults.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
N/A.
Weekly Assignment:
Focused SOAP Note or case analysis on a selected disorder from this module.
Week 8: Substance Use, Eating, and Sleep Disorders
Weekly Notes:
Integrated care for addiction, co-occurring disorders, eating disorders, and sleep-wake disorders. Harm reduction, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), and multidisciplinary approaches.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Discuss the role of the PMHNP in managing substance use disorders with comorbid psychiatric conditions.
Weekly Assignment:
PowerPoint presentation or written analysis on treatment of a substance use or eating disorder case.
Week 9: Grand Rounds / Complex Case Presentation
Weekly Notes:
Synthesis of multiple domains through complex case discussions. Focus on differential diagnosis and holistic treatment planning.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Peer review and feedback on complex cases.
Weekly Assignment:
Grand Rounds Presentation – Present a complex patient case with differential diagnosis, treatment plan, and rationale.
Week 10: Ethical/Legal Issues, Special Populations, and Practice Preparation
Weekly Notes:
Advanced ethical dilemmas, telepsychiatry, vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ+, geriatric, forensic), and advocacy.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
How do state regulations impact your future practice, and what advocacy steps will you take?
Weekly Assignment:
Update Study Plan + discussion posts.
Week 11: Course Synthesis and Final Exam
Weekly Notes:
Review of key concepts, professional development, self-care, and transition to practice. Final preparation for certification.
Weekly Discussion Questions:
Reflect on growth throughout the PMHNP program and future goals.
Weekly Assignment:
Final Exam (comprehensive, covering all course content).
(Clinical logs if coordinated with practicum.)
Additional Course Elements
Required Texts/Resources: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), Stahl’s Prescriber’s Guide, PMHNP Certification Review manuals, Walden media/case studies.
Grading: Discussions, Focused SOAP notes (heavily weighted), study plan, case presentations, midterm, and final exam.
Format: Online with emphasis on application through case-based learning.
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