“New nurse practitioners can improve skills and development while being mentored by experienced mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and other mental health providers.” -Dr. Teena McGuinness
NP residents Kara Tucker and Jessica Waldrop assess patients individually and through group therapy at the Birmingham VAMC.
programs are becoming a sought-after way for nurses to start their careers in rich learning environments with ongoing support from both clinicians and faculty members. “These programs allow nurses not to just be thrown into the complexity of their jobs, but to receive a significant amount of mentoring, training and professional socialization,” McGuinness said.
with the Birmingham VAMC and to better prepare nurse practitioners to meet the challenging psychological needs of America’s Veterans.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency
“UAB loves America’s Veterans,” McGuinness said. “We really have a heart for all Veterans, and because some Veterans have some very complex mental health and chronic care issues, this program allows us to prepare nurse practitioners to uniquely serve their health needs.”
UAB’s selection as one of the four sites for a Veterans Health Administration-sponsored residency for mental health nurse practitioners allows the UAB School of Nursing to expand a longtime partnership
The School of Nursing’s ongoing partnership with the Birmingham VAMC played a role in the site’s selection, said Cynthia Selleck, PhD, RN, FNP, the School’s Associate Dean for Clinical and GlobFALL 2014 / UAB NURSING
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