3024-25: Reimagining PMHNP Clinical Training: How to Build a Safe, Efficient and Meaningful Training Program for Students and Patients

This discussion-based presentation will provide a roadmap to creating a PMHNP training clinic which provides the opportunity for semi-autonomous patient interaction without sacrificing high quality, evidenced-based patient care. Participants will leave with a new way of imagining PMHNP training.

Presenter:  Sarah Schwenk, RN, MSN, 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:  45 minutes

Target Audience:  APRN

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

• Define one opportunity in the training environment to increase student autonomy without compromising patient safety or student learning.

Key Takeaway(s): 

• Innovative PMHNP training models can balance autonomy with quality patient care. 
• Structured training programs that provide semi-autonomous clinical experiences under expert guidance create opportunities to prepare psychiatric nurse practitioners for practice—without compromising patient safety or the integrity of student learning.

Keywords:  PMHNP Education, Clinical Training, Student Autonomy

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.75 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components 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.

Release Date:  December 3, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

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