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Continuing Education

From live conferences to on-demand podcasts, get the education you need to keep your practice current, earn contact hours for your certification, or gain expertise in a specific topic with APNA nursing continuing professional development!

Click on the links below to learn more about each evidence-based program in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

If you are an institution interested in providing access to any of APNA’s continuing education programs to a group of learners, please email apnagrouporders@apna.org.

 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

APNA National Conferences

Get updates on psychiatric-mental health nursing while connecting with your community at APNA national conferences.

APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute

Planned for Nurses, by Nurses for More than 20 Years
APNA 22nd Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute
June 6-9 | Live in person in Rockville, MD or virtually!
Registration open now!

APNA Annual Conference

APNA 38th Annual Conference
Bringing Connection to Life for Ourselves, Those We Serve, & Each Other
October 9-12 | Live in person in Louisville, Kentucky or virtually!
Call for Abstracts open now!

APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Program

New Course Launched March 2024

This interactive online and on-demand training will increase your confidence and competence in the nursing skills of suicide assessment, management and prevention. Get evidence-based nursing knowledge and best practices from this content developed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, skills and critical thinking of psychiatric-mental health nurses caring for persons at risk for suicide.

15.25 Contact Hours available for nurses looking to increase confidence in the behavioral health setting 

The APNA Transitions in Practice (ATP) Certificate Program focuses on best practices and evidence-based nursing knowledge that will optimize success in nursing practice and improve healthcare outcomes for persons with mental health disorders.

“This was an excellent course and provided a breadth of knowledge that increased my confidence and ability to successfully transition into my new position as a psychiatric nurse.”

This course is self-paced with supplemental activities (interactive quizzes, case scenarios, and reflection) as learners progress through the program. Bulk purchase pricing is available for groups of 10+.  Email atp@apna.org for information.

“All of the sections were very engaging and provided very practical, useful information that can serve to improve my practice as a mental health nurse and it has certainly built my confidence in returning to the inpatient setting.”

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Browse Online Education

Access content like podcasts, online courses, and more to keep your PMH nursing knowledge up-to-date on your schedule.

View all Available Courses in the APNA eLearning Center

Computer-Based Learning for Opioid Use Disorder (CLOUD)

Contact Hours: 0.5
This presentation introduces the implementation of an evidence-based intervention that can be accessed over the web by patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in a community integrated-care setting
Register

Helping Older Adults with Opioid Use Disorders Stay Healthy and in Recovery

Contact Hours: 0.5
This presentation will describe the demographics and the most common co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders in older adults with opioid use disorders in FQHC clinics in lower
Register

Addressing Bias and Stigma in the Language We Use with Persons with Opioid Use Disorder

Contact Hours: 0.75
This presentation will describe difficulties with access to care of opioid use disorders (OUDs), the stigmatizing languages that presents barriers to effective care, and suggest alternative language to be used
Register

Closing the Opioid Treatment Gap through Advance Practice Nursing Activation

Contact Hours: 0.25
We present curricular design and measurable objectives for a course that prepares APRN students to deliver medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), especially for under-served populations.
Register

Meet OWEP! Opioid Substance Use Disorders Recovery/Systems-Oriented Practice in Integrated Health Care/Telehealth

Contact Hours: 1.5
This exciting presentation informs RN/APN of OID/SUD updates to care setting options adopted from a Graduate Nursing IOD/SUD HRSA funded recovery-based program intended to empower APNs
Register

Increasing Access to Buprenorphine for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: DATA Waiver Training Overview and Nursing Curricula Recommendations

Contact Hours: 0.75
This presentation will discuss increasing access to treatment for individuals with OUD through the use of the DATA waiver/exemption. Suggestions for DATA waiver training inclusion in graduate nursing school
Register

Retrospective Study on the Effects Of Extended-Release Naltrexone (XR-NTX) Injection Among Justice-Involved Adults Misusing Opioids Released from Correctional Facilities In Louisiana

Contact Hours: 0.5
This presentation highlights the results of the first retrospective study on extended-released naltrexone offered by the Medication-for Opioid Use Disorder (MAT) Program by the Department of Corrections in
Register

Goodbye X-Waiver: Good News for PMHNPs and for the Treatment of People with Opioid Use Disorder

Contact Hours: 0.75
This interactive presentation discusses the 2023 legislation eliminating the DEA X-Waiver buprenorphine prescription requirement and the implications for clinical practice.
Register

Updated Buprenorphine Prescribing Training Requirements for APRNs

Contact Hours: 0.5
This presentation examines the new training requirements for APRNs who wish to prescribe buprenorphine as outlined by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and explores the Office of National Drug Control Policy’
Register

Evaluating Cholesterol Biomarker, Treatment, and Socio-Demographic Factors as Indicators of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Retention

Contact Hours: 0.75
This interactive presentation introduces supporting evidence on clinical use of cholesterol biomarker and integrated health service provision in opioid treatment program to promote retention of minority patients.
Register

Buprenorphine Induction in the Era of Fentanyl: Avoiding Precipitated Withdrawal Symptoms

Contact Hours: 0.75
Concepts related to buprenorphine microdosing for patients using fentanyl and the risk for precipitated withdrawal. The participant will leave with the knowledge and skills required to implement high-quality, evidence-
Register

Video Screening Interviews Using the APNA Developed Alcohol, Nicotine and Opioid Resources

Contact Hours: 0.5
In this course you will observe short interviews using screening tools provided by the APNA Addictions Council.
Register

APNA PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses: Activating Our Voices as We Evolve in Our Profession

Contact Hours: 0.75
Learn how to articulate your unique nursing role to colleagues, communities, and stakeholders. Then, explore how to advocate for the support you and your PMH nursing colleagues need from supervisors,
Register Now

APNA PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses: Revolutionizing Access to Person-Centered Care

Contact Hours: 0.75
Explore how psychiatric-mental health nurses expand access to person-centered care through innovative improvements at all levels in order to meet the needs of diverse populations.
Learn More

Annual Conference Session Archives

Contact Hours: 0.5-2.0
Recordings of PMH Nurse approved sessions from past conferences.
Browse Now

Psychopharmacology

Contact Hours: 0.5-2.0
Cutting edge clinical updates eligible for pharmacology contact hours.
Browse Now

APNA eLearning Center

Browse on-demand sessions on psychiatric-mental health nursing topics across the spectrum of care and start earning contact hours now.
Browse Now

APNA Transitions in Practice

Contact Hours: 15.25
Onboard new PMH-RNs or build the skills needed succeed with this online certificate program.
Register Now

Understanding the Brain-Behavior Connection

Contact Hours: 5.0
Gain an understanding of the biological basis for behavior with this certificate program.
Register Now

Effective Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder

Contact Hours: 1.5-3.5
Access free courses to support you and your fellow nurses as you provide care to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder.
Register Now

Motivational Interviewing: Free for APNA Members

Contact Hours: 3.5
Learn best practices for motivational interviewing and how best to apply it to the care you provide to your patients in this three-part presentation.
View Training

Medications for Substance Use Disorders (MSUD) Training

Contact Hours: 8.0
Two free webinars which together meet the 24 hours of required education to apply to obtain a DEA waiver to prescribe MAT for opioid use disorders.
View Options

Psychopharmacology

Contact Hours: 0.75 - 2.75
Start earning pharmacology contact hours with sessions from the APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute, APNA Annual Conference, and more.
Browse Now

APNA eLearning Center

Earn continuing education contact hours by accessing more than 500 sessions.

Visit the APNA eLearning Center

Introduction

This video covers the basics of the eLearning Center, including searching for sessions, using bonus points, and more.

Become an APNA member and share your expertise!

  • Bonus Points Program
    A member benefit, bonus points are used in the APNA eLearning Center to “purchase” content.
  • Mentoring Opportunities
    Mentors and mentees can find and connect with each other based upon experience, specialty, location, knowledge area, or even method of communication.
  • Continuing Education Program Reviewers
    Become a Peer Reviewer! Earn contact hours and bonus points by reviewing sessions and handouts, and completing the post test, evaluation and peer reviewing document.
  • Other Educational Opportunities
    APNA provides links to educational opportunities offered by other associations and governmental agencies at its discretion.

Your dynamic community of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.

Connect with fellow psychiatric-mental health nurses, be the first to know about evidence-based resources and programs, and participate in exclusive opportunities to advance the care and treatment of those with mental health & substance use needs.

JOIN TODAY MEMBER COMMUNITY

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