Mental health nurse practitioner residency program | veterans affairs

The program is designed to provide the resident with advanced competencies in a complex, Veteran-centric, health care environment leading to specialized clinical and leadership skills. The

VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) has developed a set of competencies that align with national accreditation standards for advanced practice nursing. Successful completion of the

Residency is dependent upon the residents’ ability to meet these competencies. Throughout the year, residents will be evaluated by faculty in competency progression. Below are some of the

competencies and examples of behaviors residents should demonstrate by the end of each quarter. 1ST QUARTER: ORIENTATION AND FOUNDATIONS OF VETERAN-CENTRIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE Core

Competency III: Communication * Demonstrated by: resident will give a concise report, that can be used across services, to communicate patient care to other members of the healthcare team.

Mental Health Competency II: Knowledge of Adult Mental Health Disorders Diagnostic Criteria * Demonstrated by: resident will increase accuracy of diagnosis during intake assessments. Patient

Care Competency VI: Assessment of Health * Demonstrated by: resident will demonstrate ability to place appropriate referrals to specialty services. 2ND QUARTER: FORMULATION AND APPLICATIONS

OF VETERAN-CENTRIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE Core Competency I: Practice-Based Learning * Demonstrated by: resident will research and present on topics related to advanced nursing practice to

peers. Mental Health Competency I: Knowledge of Basic Science, Theories, and Models of Care * Demonstrated by: resident will identify psychosocial factors connected to diagnoses and

implement this knowledge to customize the treatment plan. Patient Care Competency XI: Patient and Family Education * Demonstrated by: resident will integrate evidence-based tools and

resources to enable patients to assume greater responsibility for self-care management of health and wellness. 3RD QUARTER: SYSTEMS AND IMPACT OF VETERAN-CENTRIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE Core

Competency XII: Clinical Leadership * Demonstrated by: resident will engage in supervised training of junior residents. Mental Health Competency III: Knowledge of Psychotherapeutic Treatment

Modalities * Demonstrated by: use of appropriate testing/screeners to shape clinical decision making, diagnosis formulation, and development of Veteran care plan. Patient Care Competency: X

Promotion of Optimal Health * Demonstrated by: resident will integrate health promotion programs or community resources in Veteran’s treatment plan. 4TH QUARTER: PMHNP LEADERSHIP IN

VETERAN-CENTRIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE Core Competency II: Quality Improvement & Patient Safety/Evidence-Based Practice * Demonstrated by: resident will have designed, implemented, and

disseminated results of a quality improvement project. Mental Health Competency IV: Knowledge of Psychopharmacology * Demonstrated by: resident will apply scientific knowledge of

pharmacotherapy in clinical problem solving, judgment, and decision making in delivery of Veteran care. Patient Care Competency IX: Follow-Up & Evaluation of Patient Status *

Demonstrated by: resident will successfully manage a panel and adjust treatment plans when necessary based upon data collected at follow-up interviews.