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DNP PMHNP Clinical Preceptor & Site Requirements

Preceptor's Corner

Explore the DNP PMHNP clinical preceptor and site requirements.

PMHNP Preceptor Requirements
All student-identified preceptors and clinical sites must be appropriate for meeting clinical objectives for each course and must be approved by the PMHNP concentration leader.

All preceptors must be:
  • All APRN preceptors must be: Currently licensed as a RN and have a current Approval to Practice. They must also be Board Certified as advanced practice providers.
  • All PA, MD, DO, Social Workers, and Counselor preceptors must be: Currently licensed in North Carolina.
  • They must also be Board Certified.
  • Able to guide students in meeting the objectives for the practicum.
  • Effective with interpersonal skills for supporting a student, providing orientation to the experience, identifying student strengths and weaknesses, and in giving feedback in a constructive manner.
  • Students are allowed to return to previous preceptors, if appropriate, and pending the approval of the Graduate Clinical Coordinator.
  • Recognized as experts in clinical practice; with a minimum of one year in practice at site of interest to student.
Note: Preceptors can only have one student assigned on any given clinical day.
Responsibilities of the Clinical Preceptor & Site
  • Approve the student's written schedule.
  • Arrange orientation to the agency.
  • Integrate the student into the work of the agency at an appropriate pace.
  • Supervise student-client contacts directly or through consultation.
  • Consult with faculty at any time deemed necessary to assure student progress.
  • Participate in evaluation of the Student's clinical performance.
  • Call faculty if any concerns arise about student performance.
  • When prompted, provide students with the following information for their required UNCW program forms:
    • Copy of preceptor’s current CV (*must be up to date, including experience dates, & should include the site the student is planning to attend under your professional experience – this is required for our program accreditation and preceptor approval process)
    • Preceptor’s full name and credentials
    • Preceptor’s RN or medical license number
    • Preceptor’s email (this will be used for any communications & evaluation links)
    • Agency phone number
    • Agency full name & address
    • Agency county location
    • Agency contact full name and title (optional)
    • Additional contact email (optional)

PMHNP Placement Course Descriptions & Learning Outcomes

NSGL 646 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan Clinical Practicum I

This clinical course is the first of a four-part series in which Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students will apply knowledge from evidenced based didactic theory courses into practice. Through clinical application and understanding of the biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of clients across the lifespan, learners will engage in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopharmacological evaluation and management of individual clients, groups, and families. In addition, students will engage in interprofessional practices to allow for a diverse holistic lens leading to optimal clinical outcomes in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient settings.

Credits: 3 

NSGL 647 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan Clinical Practicum II 

This clinical course is the second of a four-part series in which Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students will apply knowledge from evidenced based didactic theory courses into practice. Through clinical application and understanding of the biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of clients across the lifespan, learners will engage in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopharmacological evaluation and management of individual clients, groups, and families. In addition, students will engage in interprofessional practices to allow for a diverse holistic lens leading to optimal clinical outcomes in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient setting. This course builds on skills attained in the first clinical course within the PMHNP program.

Credits: 3 

NSGL 648 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan Clinical Practicum III 

This clinical course is the third of a four-part series in which Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students will apply knowledge from evidenced based didactic theory courses into practice. Through clinical application and understanding of the biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of clients across the lifespan, learners will engage in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopharmacological evaluation and management of individual clients, groups, and families. In addition, students will engage in interprofessional practices to allow for a diverse holistic lens leading to optimal clinical outcomes in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient setting. This course builds on skills attained in the first and second clinical course within the PMHNP program.

Credits: 3

NSGL 649 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan Clinical Practicum IV

This clinical course is the last of a four-part series in which Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students will apply knowledge from evidenced based didactic theory courses into practice. Through clinical application and understanding of the biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of clients across the lifespan, learners will engage in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopharmacological evaluation and management of individual clients, groups, and families. In addition, students will engage in interprofessional practices to allow for a diverse holistic lens leading to optimal clinical outcomes in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient setting. This course builds on skills attained in the first, second, and third clinical courses within the PMHNP program.

Credits: 3 

Students’ Minimum Patient Encounter Requirements for Total Clinical Experience
Table outlining Students’ Minimum Patient Encounter Requirements for Total Clinical Experience

NSGL 643: 180 Hrs.

NSGL 644: 180 Hrs.

NSGL 645: 180 Hrs.

Outpatient therapy is the focus.

Clinical exposure/experience should include:

  • Individual Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Marriage counseling
  • SAIOP
  • Partial inpatient therapy
  • DBT
  • CBT
  • EMDR
  • Trauma focused therapy
  • Psychotherapeutic management

Outpatient and inpatient settings that specialize in treatment of mental health care in children and adolescents.

Clinical exposure/experience should include:

  • Children and adolescents (from birth-19 years old).
  • Inpatient AND outpatient settings
  • Children/adolescents on the autism spectrum
  • At risk youth
  • Criminal justice system
  • Child protective services
  • Disadvantaged children
  • Trauma focused therapy
  • Psychotherapeutic management
  • Psychopharmacological management

Complex outpatient services such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) programs, inpatient mental health and inpatient detox across the lifespan.

Clinical exposure/experience should include:

  • Complex mental health cases
  • Severe, persistent mental health conditions
  • Chronic mental health management
  • Community and population mental health
  • Psychotherapeutic management
  • Psychopharmacological management
Interested in serving as a preceptor?

We invite you to share your expertise, enthusiasm and joy for teaching with our students. If you are able to help or know of someone who may be interested in precepting, please complete this interest form.

Have a Question? Contact Us!

Diane L. Parker, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN | Graduate Clinical Coordinator

Phone: (910) 962-7148

parkerdl@uncw.edu

UNC Wilmington School of Nursing
601 College Rd
Wilmington, NC, 28403