The Phase I DCE will attempt to arrange student assignments that will include all 3 clinical rotations (does not include the two local 8hr rotations) at the same sight.
Consistent rotations/student assignment will decrease administrative burden
Will increase student and preceptor comfort and ability to operate more independently as rotation progresses leading to a mutually beneficial collaboration and possible increase access to care/decrease provider burden
Phase I clinical rotations consist of 3 Rotations (actual day of arrival and departure will vary year to year):
July - Aug (2nd year)
3 weeks (approx. 140 hrs)
Adult inpatient, outpatient, consult liaison, embedded/operational: Can be a combination of these or a single experience depending on resources/preceptor availability
Minimum of half the hours should include medication management
Oct - Nov (2nd year)
4 weeks (approx. 160 hrs)
Substance Use Treatment: Residential, Partial Inpt, IOP, ADAPT, SUDDC, AMIOP: Can be a combination of these or a single experience depending on resources/preceptor availability
Jan – Mar (2nd year)
10 weeks total (approx. 360hrs)
8 weeks (approx. 280 hrs): Consistent thread of outpt med management desirable. Adult inpatient, outpatient, consult liaison, embedded/operational: Can be a combination of these or a single experience depending on resources/preceptor availability
2 weeks (approx. 80 hrs): Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH): inpatient, outpatient, or combination of both. Experience with therapy or medication management although both desirable and dependent on resources/preceptor availability
80 hrs may be spread throughout 10 weeks or 2 weeks period depending on availability.
If no child/adolescent hours are available at your site, it is the responsibility of the USU Clinical Director to find the rotation in your local area or complete 80 hrs the first or last 2 weeks of this 10 week rotation.
Phase I Clinical Objectives:
Full objectives are detailed on this site under clinical objectives. A brief overview of objectives for each phase I rotation are as follows:
3 weeks: This will be their first longer clinical rotation so some of the exposure may be observation only/initially and progress with student and preceptor comfort. It is not expected to have mastered these skills. Under preceptor guidance:
Gather a focused psychiatric history and perform mental health examinations under observation of clinical preceptor
Explain differential diagnosis using DSM 5 criteria
Explain treatment plan
Outline pharm & non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions
Construct psychiatric intakes and follow-up notes.
4 weeks: Depending on the various opportunities and under preceptor guidance:
Observe/Assist/Conduct evaluations of SUD’s patients
Formulate appropriate diagnosis and use of ASAM and DSM-5 criteria
Develop pharm & nonpharm treatment recommendations
Observe/ Assist/ Perform group therapy, co-facilitation
Participate/observe in treatment planning
Observe/Assist in medication management of the SUD’s patient
10 weeks: Includes child and adolescent mental health exposure. The remaining hours will be with adult populations. Although not required, highly encourage exposure to geriatric population when possible. Under preceptor guidance and within specialized populations:
Observe/Assist/Conduct evaluations and ongoing management of patients
Formulate appropriate diagnoses with rationale
Develop pharm & nonpharm treatment recommendations
Observe/Assist/Perform group and individual evidence-based psychotherapies
Phase II consists of your final year the PMHNP Program. Phase II includes your doctor of nursing practice practicum & seminar that is divided into three courses. These three DNP clinical courses are built upon the scientific, theoretical and clinical foundations taught during the first two years of the curriculum.
By the end of the year, students will be prepared to apply standards of practice and evidence-based research findings to the care of increasingly complex patients, populations and systems leading to improved practice and health care delivery.
Across all three courses you will be prepared to independently manage healthcare challenges ranging from straightforward to complex, while developing collaborative patient, population and professional partnerships.
Each clinical practicum course includes 315 clinical hours for a total of 945 hours during Phase II. Students typically spend 3-4 days per week in clinical. 1-2 days per week is then reserved for class work, meeting with your P2SD, required trainings or military obligations, and working on your DNP EBP Project.
Other Considerations:
Starting during the first semester (5710) at Phase II, all students are required to compete a series of mandatory specialty rotations. Click here for reference: PMHNP Specialty Rotations
Students should have an ongoing outpatient experience from 5710, 5720, 5730 for continuity of care. For example one day a week initially increasing in frequency each semester through the end of the year.
Rotations may be interchangeable between 5710, 5720, 5730 based on availability, student needs, and experiences/rotations already completed based on Clinical Passport documentation.
Recommended hours are a minimum and may be extended in order to fulfill a specific MH experience (ie closed group opportunity that will put them over 315 hrs).
Phase II Workload Recommendations:
Spring (2nd yr): complete 25% of the workload for a normal full time employee (typically 2-3 patients per day) in the clinical area they are assigned in
Summer (3rd year): 25-50% (typically 4-5 patients per day) of the workload
Fall (3rd year): 50-75% of the workload (typically 6-7 patients per day)
75% of a normal FTE by the end of the final semester of school.