Date of Graduation

Spring 5-17-2024

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Executive Summary

First Advisor

Alicia Kletter

Second Advisor

Alexa Colgrove Curtis

Abstract

Background The worsening mental health rates among college students in the United States highlight the critical need for campuses to have high-quality comprehensive mental health centers (MHC). This necessity is particularly urgent in community college MHCs, which often lack these attributes. Local Problem An MHC within a large California community college recently introduced telepsychiatry services and is considering integrating a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) into their team. However, knowledge gaps and limited interprofessional education (IPE) may hinder effective collaboration within the team. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess current research on IPE, community college mental health services, and PMHNPs. Subsequently, a quality improvement (QI) initiative utilizing the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies framework was initiated. Interventions A QI project focused on IPE was planned, implemented, and evaluated. A one-hour IPE presentation led by the DNP scholar and co-facilitated by the clinical director was delivered to four counseling interns. Pre- and post-session surveys were utilized to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Results Survey outcomes indicated that the IPE session enhanced interns' confidence and motivation for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and provided practical insights relevant to their roles. Conclusions This IPE initiative was a low-cost approach that helped address counselors’ knowledge gaps and prepared them for IPC with psychiatric providers. Insights for future IPE initiatives, project limitations, and health policy recommendations were also examined.

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