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4026-23: Retrospective Study on the Effects Of Extended-Release Naltrexone (XR-NTX) Injection Among Justice-Involved Adults Misusing Opioids Released from Correctional Facilities In Louisiana 

This presentation highlights the results of the first retrospective study on extended-released naltrexone offered by the Medication-for Opioid Use Disorder (MAT) Program by the Department of Corrections in Louisiana. Participants will learn how XR-NTX impacted treatment retention, relapse, and recidivism among justice-involved individuals misusing opioids released from correctional facilities in 2018 and 2019.

Presenters:  Isabelle Dubois, RN, BSN, MSc, PMHNP student; Sara Jones, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Discuss the clinical impact of extended-release naltrexone among justice-involved individuals misusing opioids upon eight weeks of re-entry.

Keywords:  Extended-release Naltrexone, Opioid Use Disorder, Justice-involved Individuals

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.5 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and earn a passing score on the post-test before the expiration date. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the post-test and a score of 80% is required to pass. Once you have passed and completed an evaluation, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. You cannot earn credit unless all steps are completed.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Access to this course will end:  November 1, 2026

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3052-22:  Can We Help Psychiatric Nurses Stay? Implementation of a Unique, Comprehensive Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Residency Program for Our Novice Psychiatric Nurses that Supports Professional Growth, Confidence, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, and Self-Awareness While Promoting Commitment and Retention 

This presentation provides a detailed overview of the development and implementation of a unique Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Residency Program in a large psychiatric setting. Through engaged discussion, participants will leave with a framework and extensive outline to apply this professional development initiative in their own institution.

Presenters:  Nancy Bowllan, EdD, CNS, RN; Heather O'Brien, MSN, RN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length: 34 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify three learning outcomes and associated interactive learning activities in a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Residency Program.

Keywords:  Residency Program, Retention, Self-Care

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.5 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and earn a passing score on the post-test before the expiration date. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the post-test and a score of 80% is required to pass. Once you have passed and completed an evaluation, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. You cannot earn credit unless all steps are completed.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Originally Presented
APNA 36th Annual Conference
Long Beach, CA

The contact hours for this session expire:  October 1, 2025

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Small Towns, Big Impact: Psychiatric Nursing and Rural Harm Reduction

Contact Hour:  1.0 contact hour
Target Audience:  RN, APRN  
Presenter:  Jennifer L. Scott, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Distinguish yourself as a psychiatric nurse leading transformational change in rural and other addiction care settings. Join a network of psychiatric nurses who are advancing addiction care through innovative, evidence-informed education strategies. Discover how rural communities are leveraging their unique strengths to create innovative, sustainable harm reduction programs. Participants learn practical strategies for overcoming common barriers, building community partnerships, and implementing effective solutions while honoring rural values and resources. Gain the tools and knowledge to:

• Identify strategies to leverage existing community strengths in developing rural harm reduction programs
  
• Describe practical approaches to implement and sustain harm reduction services in rural communities
• Apply harm reduction principles within psychiatric nursing practice
• Develop connections with resources to support harm reduction work

Learning Outcome: 

Upon completion of this program, the participant will: 

• Identify two strategies to consider when implementing sustainable treatment programs in rural communities.

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation. 

Keywords:  Addiction, Education, Rural Health, Partnerships

Price:  Free

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.0 contact hours.  * To receive contact hour, participants must:  Complete all the course components.  Once you have completed the course, post-test, honor statement and evaluation, earned a passing score of at least 80% on the post-test, your nursing continuing professional development certificate will be generated online and available for immediate printing. Credit cannot be earned unless all course components are completed. No partial credit can be awarded.  

Grant Statement:

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Release Date:  July 14, 2025
Access to this course will end:  July 14, 2028

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

© APNA 2025. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

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Threading Addiction Care Through Nursing Education: From Classroom to Clinical Practice     

Contact Hour:  1.0 contact hour
Target Audience:  RN, APRN  
Presenter:  Kathleen A. Schachman, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAAN

Distinguish yourself as a psychiatric nurse leading transformational change in rural and other addiction care settings. Join a network of psychiatric nurses who are advancing addiction care through innovative, evidence-informed education strategies. Explore practical methods for enhancing nursing expertise in addiction care by embedding it into nursing curricula. Content emphasizes attitude transformation and partnerships with people who have lived experience. Participants learn practical implementation approaches that prepare nursing graduates for the realities of addiction care across all healthcare settings.  Gain the tools and knowledge to: 

• Design forward-thinking addiction care curricula
• Integrate the voices and experiences of individuals with lived experience
• Build clinical competencies using scaffolded learning approaches
• Develop sustainable, long-term educational initiatives
• Collaborative with recovery communities to enrich education

Learning Outcome: 

Upon completion of this program, the participant will: 

• Discuss two ways to build clinical competencies related to addiction care in rural communities through scaffold learning 

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation. 

Keywords:  Addiction, Education, Rural Health, Partnerships

Price:  Free

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.0 contact hours.  * To receive contact hour, participants must:  Complete all the course components.  Once you have completed the course, post-test, honor statement and evaluation, earned a passing score of at least 80% on the post-test, your nursing continuing professional development certificate will be generated online and available for immediate printing. Credit cannot be earned unless all course components are completed. No partial credit can be awarded.  

Grant Statement:

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Release Date:  July 2, 2025
Access to this course will end:  July 2, 2028

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

© APNA 2025. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

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501-25: Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Integrating Microbiome Modulation for Optimal Psychiatric Medication Management - A Case Study Approach in ADHD

Uncover methods for improving microbiome dysbiosis with nutrients to support mental health.

Presenter:  David C. Agor, DNP, PMHNP-BC, HIVPCP

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  1 hour 30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least two evidence-based nutritional psychiatry approaches that can be implemented alongside traditional psychopharmacology to improve treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Nutritional Psychiatry, Microbiome, Mental Well-being, Gut-brain Axis, ADHD Management, Medication Management

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.5 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

Internet Explorer does not cooperate well with this platform. Please see below for options that work with APNA eLearning Center programs.*

503-25: General Psychiatric Management: Principles and  Prescribing Guidelines for Treating Borderline  Personality Disorder

Explore General Psychiatric Management (GPM), an evidence-based model for BPD treatment with a focus on guidelines for psychiatric prescribing.

Presenter:  Jeffrey Lucero, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  1 hour 30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least two key principles for the management and treatment of borderline personality disorder.

Keywords:  Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD, General Psychiatric Management, Good Psychiatric Management

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.5 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

Internet Explorer does not cooperate well with this platform. Please see below for options that work with APNA eLearning Center programs.*

502-25: Acetylcholine Neurotransmission, Muscarinic  Receptors, and Anticholinergic Burden: Implications  for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

With the advent of novel antipsychotic medications modulating acetylcholine, gain crucial understanding of muscarinic activity and learn about anticholinergic side effects.

Presenter:  Jeremy Mills, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  1 hour 30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the role of acetylcholine in the treatment of schizophrenia and three risk factors for anticholinergic side effects.

Keywords:  Schizophrenia, Anticholinergics, Acetylcholine, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Muscarinic Receptors, Anticholinergic Burden

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.5 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

Internet Explorer does not cooperate well with this platform. Please see below for options that work with APNA eLearning Center programs.*

404-25: Geropsychiatric Prescribing Across Disorders and Settings

Get age-related clinical guidelines and prescribing pearls, including for lithium, antidepressants, anticholinergics and medical stability plus, setting considerations.

Presenters:  Kristin Hjartardottir, DNP, PMHNP; Merrie Kaas, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  1 hour 30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Describe two principles for prescribing and deprescribing medications for older adults with major mental health disorders.

Keywords:  Prescribing, Deprescribing, Older Adults, Major Mental Health Disorders, Clinical Guidelines, Geriatrics, Medication Management

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.5 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

Internet Explorer does not cooperate well with this platform. Please see below for options that work with APNA eLearning Center programs.*

403-25: Advanced Psychopharmacology in Youth: What Works When and Why?

Learn thoughtful approaches to prescribing and deprescribing antidepressants for children and adolescents, including stopping medications that aren’t working, that cause intolerable side effects, or are no longer needed after sustained remission.

Presenter:  Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty, with the exception of those listed below, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.  All relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation.

Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP is an advisor/consultant for AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc., Genomind, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Strawn receives research support from Mind Medicine (MindMed), AbbVie, and material support from Myriad Genetics.

Session Length:  1 hour 15 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least two evidence-based strategies for initiating and titrating antidepressants in youth, considering clinical and pharmacogenetic factors.

Keywords:  Prescribing, Deprescribing, Antidepressants, Depression, Anxiety, Pharmacogenetics, Youth

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.25 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.

Internet Explorer does not cooperate well with this platform. Please see below for options that work with APNA eLearning Center programs.*

401-25: Deconstructing the Pharmaceutical Industry: Brand vs Generics and What It Means for Practice

Take a deep dive into the pharmaceutical industry, including how drugs get to market, how they move from brand to generic, and why it matters for prescribing practitioners. 

Presenter:  Laura G. Leahy, DrNP, APRN, PMH-CNS/FNP, CARN-AP, FAANP, FAAN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty, with the exception of those listed below, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation.

Laura G. Leahy, DrNP, APRN, PMH-CNS/FNP, CARN-AP, FAANP, FAAN is on the speaker’s bureau for Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Biogen/Sage Therapeutics. Dr. Leahy is on the advisory board for Otsuka pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson.

Session Length:  2 hours

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Discuss three ways in which generic formulations of medications may differ from the brand formulations.

Keywords:  Generic Drugs, Brand-name Drugs, Clinical Practice, Prescribing, Compound Drugs, FDA Drug Approval, Drug Development

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
2.0 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher before the expiration date. Unlimited post-test attempts are allowed. Once all steps are successfully completed, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. All steps must be successfully completed to earn contact hours. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release date: July 16, 2025
Access to this course will end: July 31, 2027

© 2025 APNA. Reproducing and distributing this material without the written permission of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is prohibited. 

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.