From: Bobby Lowery, Chair Psych CNS/NP Task Force

Page 4 of 4

March 1, 2011

From: Bobby Lowery, Chair Psych CNS/NP Task Force

To: Dr. Rose Allen, Chair Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC)

Cc: Psych CNS/NP Task Force Members (Dr. Mary Ann Rose, Dr. Lou Everett, Dr. Martha

Engelke, Wanda Lancaster, Bobby Lowery, Frank Moore, Michelle Skipper,)

Subject: Executive Summary FPMHNP Curriculum Proposal

Dear Dr. Allen,

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an executive summary of new course proposals for the family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (FPMHNP) concentration. The Chair and faculty of the Department of Graduate Nursing Science have determined that there is a need for a FPMNHNP concentration and supporting courses which have been developed by the FPMHNP task force. Dean Brown has stated approval of resources to hire additional faculty to support the new concentration and courses. The proposed courses and curriculum are recommended with unanimous support by the FPMHNP task force members and the College of Nursing (CON) Graduate Faculty Organization (GFO).

Diminishing resources supporting community mental health centers (CMHC) has created a disparity in access to mental health services and qualified mental health clinicians. Furthermore, reimbursement policies have mandated that Nurse Practitioners shall be educated and credentialed by 2015 in their population focus in psychiatric mental health to be eligible for reimbursement for mental health services.

A market needs analysis was conducted by the CON, revealing a need for clinicians with family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (FPMHNP) education and credentials. These findings are supported by weekly emails from employers seeking appropriately qualified FPMHNPs to meet market needs. Moreover, adult, family and pediatric NPs currently practicing in mental health settings as well as nurses considering the FSMHNP role frequently inquire to the availability of this academic program of study.

Survey results were presented to the CON GFO in the fall of 2010, resulting in a task force to develop and implement a FPMHNP concentration. Preliminary curriculum work was presented to the CON GFO in the spring of 2010 with favorable support to continue further develop and implement a FPMHNP concentration with appropriate curriculum. Consultation with national recognized content experts, certifying bodies and accreditation agencies have guided appropriate curriculum development with content experts within the College of Nursing, ECU. Finally the GFO unanimously voted to establish the FPMHNP concentration and approved the proposed curriculum and courses on 2/24/11 to be presented to the university GCC.

The proposed courses and curriculum have been developed in consultation with nationally recognized expert, Dr. Patricia Cunningham, DNS, PMHNP/CNS-BC, FNP-BC, ANP. Course proposals and syllabi have been modified based on editorial recommendations by the College of Nursing Graduate Curriculum Committee during our 1/27/11 meeting. The CON GCC approved the attached course proposals with their recommended edits. We request review by the CON GCC with request to be placed on the Graduate Faculty Organization (GFO) meeting on 2/24/11.

The proposed curriculum offers both the MSN and the post-master’s option. The proposed curriculum calls for eight new courses and eight existing MSN courses. The course numbers for the eight new courses have been approved by the Office of the Registrar (N6630, N6631, N6632, N6633, N6634, N6635, N6636 and N6637). The Office of the Registrar has entered the eight new classes into Banner with a “Reserved” status, pending approval from the GCC and GSAB. The proposed curriculum incorporates eight MSN courses already approved as part of the MSN core curriculum (N6001, N6002, N6991, N6992, and N6993) and courses meeting certification requirements for the “three P’s” (Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice [N6610], Clinical pharmacology for advanced nursing practice [N6611], and Human physiology and pathophysiology for advanced nursing practice [N6050] ).

Students completing the MSN degree will meet core requirements for the MSN as well as specialty competencies specific to the FPMHNP population focus, requiring a minimum of 40 semester hours and 550 clinical hours. Post-master’s students, having already earned a MSN, will be required to complete only the courses required to meet the national certification requirements of the FPMHNP; requiring 19-28 semester hours and 550 clinical hours. Applicants are admitted for either full-time or part-time study in the fall semester. Students completing the proposed curriculum will meet eligibility requirements for national certification as a FPMHNP.

The curriculum includes core courses in advanced practice roles, research, pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics across the life span. The specialty area focuses on psychiatric mental health diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, individual, group and family psychotherapies and policy, ethical and legal frameworks applied to the primary mental health care of underserved populations. Curricular emphasis on cultural competence and sensitivity challenges students' assumptions and value judgments, and promotes critical analysis of how racial and cultural biases in psychiatric diagnoses have led to disparities in care.

All of the specialty area courses contain both seminar and clinical practicum components. Graduates are eligible to seek the appropriate American Nurses' Credentialing Center certifications in FPMHNP. Full-time students who begin during fall semester can complete the program in 4 semesters. Part-time students may complete the program in 6 to 8 semesters, plus one intervening summer term.

Clinical sites are selected to meet course objectives and individual student learning needs. Clinical experiences may include providing psychiatric assessment and crisis intervention in a primary mental health facility, providing intensive intervention in a facility for severely and persistently mentally ill clients, providing individual, family and group therapy in mental health centers, treating medically ill clients with psychosocial needs, providing intervention care in an inpatient setting, practicing in private nurse-managed practices and providing assessment and intervention to psychiatric home health agencies. Students receive intensive individual and group supervision relative to clinical experiences. Clinical experiences, research experiences, and elective courses are arranged to meet the student's learning goals.

Respectfully Submitted 3/18/11

Bobby Lowery

Bobby Lowery

Chair FPMHNP Task Force