ISU School of Nursing Working to Meet Increasing Need for Mental Health
With the entire state of Idaho being a provider shortage designated area by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the ISU School of Nursing is excited about the opportunity to rise up and meet the needs of Idaho residents by increasing access to mental healthcare.
After typically accepting six or seven students into the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program each year, the Idaho State University School of Nursing has now admitted fifteen students, eleven of whom are Idaho residents, into the program.
“Along with the fact that the majority of our graduates stay in Idaho to practice, the increase in enrollment brings about improved access to care for the citizens of Idaho,” said Dr. Susan Tavernier, director of graduate studies in nursing at ISU. “PMHNP's assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders across the lifespan.”
The program, already recognized for its quality, accessibility, cost and 100 percent pass rate on the licensure certification exam, will also be admitting the inaugural cohort of Family Nurse Practitioners into a certificate program for PMHNP specialization.
PMHNP’s treat many conditions, including substance use disorders, suicidality, eating disorders and mood disorders like depression or anxiety.
“PMHNP's also provide brief counseling for individuals, families or groups and work collaboratively with other mental health professionals,” Dr. Tavernier said.
The FNP to PMHNP certificate program provides experienced Family Nurse Practitioners with the clinical and classroom learning needed to become dually licensed as an FNP and PMHNP. This is designed particularly for FNP’s in rural areas of Idaho who are often the only provider.
“This is another way Idaho State is improving access to mental health care for the rural and very remote areas of Idaho,” Dr. Tavernier said.
This care is also expanding to the Meridian Healthcare Clinic, a faculty-led clinic that provides primary health care to all ages, including preventative care, chronic disease treatment and management, women’s health and pediatric care. The clinic has access to mental health services and is planning to expand the PMNHP services for rural areas using telehealth.
