Clinical Hours
Students complete 9 credit hours (540 clinical hours) in psychiatric specialty practicum courses. The courses can be taken in varying credit hour increments as approved by the student's advisor and clinical faculty. Courses are offered fall, spring and summer semesters based on projected enrollment and faculty availability.
Clinical Placements
Behavioral healthcare settings are the appropriate placements for clinical experiences. The most optimal critical thinking setting to foster advanced practice psychiatric/mental health role development and independent critical thinking skills in the outpatient setting. Other placements my include psychiatric hospitals, senior diagnostic units, mental health nursing homes, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Telepsychiatry may be approved for portion of practicum experiences with program approval. Students and preceptors must hold unencumbered licensure in all states where care is provided and where the students state of residence where the program has been approved and is individually arranged by the students. Assistance is provided by clinical faculty when needed.
Agency Contracts
Students submit a request for agency/preceptor approval and the university will initiate contract process between the requested agency and the university. An approved contract must be in place before students can complete clinical hours at the requested agency.
Preceptors
The preceptor must either be a Psychiatrist or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is certified by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center as a PMHNP-BC. For psychotherapy practicum hour requirement, a request to approve a licensed clinical psychotherapist may also be submitted.
Clearances
Students must submit and maintain appropriate documentation for health clearance, medical insurance, licensures, certifications, etc. in order to participate in clinical practicums.
Other Requirements
Students must comply with approved clinical agency's requirements for students. Participation in orientation activities of the agency will count toward fulfilling clinical hour expectations, however, if the orientation is lengthy, clinical faculty may require that students complete additional clinical hours in direct patient care to meet program requirements. Additional clinical hours may be required depending on individual student learning needs.
GET IN TOUCH WITH School of Nursing
School of Nursing
Petro Allied Health Center
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621-1117
Phone & Fax
Ph: 785.670.1525
Fax: 785.670.1032
