Study Notes NURS 6630: Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
1. Introduction NURS 6630 is a graduate‑level course designed for advanced practice nurses, particularly psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Focus: Pharmacological management of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Emphasizes: Mechanisms of action of psychotropic drugs. Clinical decision‑making in prescribing. Monitoring efficacy and side effects. Ethical and legal considerations. Goal: Prepare nurses to safely prescribe […]
Writing Prescriptions
Electronic medical records systems are not always available, so the importance of knowing how to write an accurate prescription on a prescription pad is imperative. Writing prescription medications is something you will be doing day after day, patient after patient. There are special considerations depending on the DEA schedule of controlled medication you are writing. […]
Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology
In many realms of medicine, objective diagnoses can be made: A clavicula is broken. An infection is present. TSH levels meet the diagnostic criteria for hypothyroidism. Psychiatry, on the other hand, deals with psychological phenomena and behaviors. Can these, too, be “defined objectively and by scientific criteria (Gergen, 1985), or are they social constructions?” (Boland, […]
Clinical Skills Self-Assessment
Before embarking on any professional or academic activity, it is important to understand the background, knowledge, and experience you bring to it. You might ask yourself, “What do I already know? What do I need to know? And what do I want to know?” This critical self-reflection is especially important for developing clinical skills, such as those for advanced […]
Study Notes PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self‑Assessment Form
1. Introduction The PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self‑Assessment Form is a structured tool used in advanced practice nursing education. Purpose: Help students evaluate their current clinical competencies. Identify strengths and areas for improvement. Guide learning objectives and practicum experiences. It is part of the clinical preparation process in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) programs. […]