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It is a requirement for accreditation that each preceptor working with a student in an APRN concentration have at least 1 year of clinical experience in the population-focused area of practice and role prior to providing clinical supervision (i.e., precepting).  

It is a recommendation that the preceptor-to-student ratio is 1:2 if the preceptor is not seeing his/her own patients and 1:1 if the preceptor is seeing his/her own patients.

You must have experience with clients across the lifespan. At least one of your clinical rotations must be with either children/adolescents or adults/older adults.

Spring Semester

NURS 61592 Individual Therapy Practicum

Course Description: Initial PMH nurse practitioner practicum emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills in mental health assessment, individual psychotherapy, and psychopharmacologic therapies with individuals  experiencing chronic or acute mental illness. 150 practicum hours required (includes 22 supervision hours) with children/adolescents or adults/older adults.

Course Objectives:

1. Conduct mental health assessments with clients.
2. Explain human responses of selected clients in relation to personality concepts and theories
3. Develop psychotherapy treatment plans
4. Develop individual psychotherapy skills intervening therapeutically with clients.
5. Evaluate outcomes of therapeutic interventions with clients.

Ideal Clinical Practice Site (150 hours - 22 supervision hours):
The placement should provide you the opportunity to perform mental health assessments and individual psychotherapy. A variety of settings (e.g. community mental health, private practice, hospital based outpatient programs) have been used for clinical placements, however, placements in which you are asked to provide only milieu treatment, medication management, or staff nursing functions are not acceptable. Although you will have in-depth case supervision from a KSU faculty member, you must have an on-site preceptor who is willing to oversee your work and maintain responsibility for your caseload. This individual does not have to be an advanced practice PMH nurse (although this is ideal), but should be someone who has experience in individual psychotherapy and is a licensed mental health provider. Your clinical placement cannot be at the same setting where you are employed.

Summer Semester

NURS 62592 Medication Management and Individual Therapy Practicum

Course Description: Second Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse practicum emphasizes the continued development of knowledge and skills in mental health assessment, individual psychotherapy, and psychopharmacologic therapies with individuals experiencing chronic or acute mental illness. Students will also get experience working with a Psychiatric Mental Health prescriber. Group supervision is provided. 150 practicum hours (includes 15 supervision hours) with children/adolescents or adults/older adults.

Course Objectives:

1. Continue to conduct individual psychotherapy with assigned patients if desired
2. Work with a prescriber preceptor to assess, diagnose, develop, and evaluate a treatment plan for patients.
3. Identify medications used for specific conditions.
4. Acquire documentation skills in a prescriber role.

Ideal Clinical Practice Site (150 hours - 15 supervision hours):
This may be the same clinical site used during the Spring semester. Preceptor must be a prescriber (PMH APRN or psychiatrist).

Fall Semester

NURS 63592 Family and Group Therapy Practicum

Course Description: Third Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse practicum emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills in family and group psychotherapies with individuals experiencing chronic or acute mental illness. 150 practicum hours (includes 22 supervision hours) with children/adolescents or adults/older adults.

Course Objectives:

1. Use and evaluate mental health assessments with families and groups.
2. Explain human responses of selected clients in relation to family and group concepts & theories.
3. Develop skills intervening therapeutically with families and groups.
4. Evaluate interventions with families and groups.

Ideal Clinical Practice Site (150 hours - 22 supervision hours):
You may continue at the same clinical setting. The focus of the course requires that you have opportunities to work with families/couples and groups.

Spring Semester

NURS 64592 Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse Practicum IV: Nurse Practitioner Role

Course Description: This is the capstone practicum course for students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Students further integrate and apply Psychiatric Mental Health Advance Practice Nurse knowledge and learn about their professional roles, coached by established Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. 150 practicum hours (includes 22 supervision hours) with children/adolescents or adults/older adults.

Course Objectives:

1. Complete 150 practicum hours in learning experiences related to the role of a Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner.
2. Develop an understanding of the prescriptive role for child, adolescent, adult, and/or geriatric patient populations as well as include other role functions as appropriate.
3. Integrate an understanding of various psychiatric APRN role functions in the practice setting.
4. Demonstrate competence in direct care of clients and families, including assessment and treatment.
5. Evaluate clinical practice in relation to relevant theories.

Ideal Clinical Practice Site (150 hours - 22 supervision hours):

Selection of the clinical setting depends on student interests (population, type of services). The preceptor for at least half of the clinical, however, must be a PMH APRN. There are opportunities for students to have an experience in an integrated care setting (usually primary care). This type of job setting is becoming more common and it would be a great opportunity for a student. If a PMH APRN is not available as a preceptor in the integrated care setting, the student needs to be in an additional placement for half of the hours with a PMH APRN.