Are you a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate with a passion for mental health and acute care settings? Las Vegas, Nevada, offers a unique landscape for healthcare professionals, and for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) seeking to specialize in acute care, residency programs are invaluable. The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) stands out by providing comprehensive training through its Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency, designed to cultivate expert clinicians ready to address the complex needs of our nation’s veterans within acute and varied care environments.
This intensive 12-month program at VASNHS is meticulously structured to transform novice PMHNPs into confident, proficient practitioners. The residency prioritizes hands-on clinical experience, dedicating 80% of the curriculum to direct patient care under the close supervision of seasoned clinical faculty. These dedicated mentors are not only exceptional clinicians but also supportive guides, committed to fostering both the professional and personal well-being of each resident. Throughout the program, residents are encouraged to actively engage in their learning process – asking questions, expanding their knowledge base, and refining essential clinical skills in patient assessment, psychopharmacology, and diverse psychotherapy modalities. The emphasis on practical application ensures residents gain substantial experience across a diverse patient population and within varied clinical settings, each rotation lasting a minimum of three months to facilitate deep immersion and meaningful learning.
The VASNHS residency offers a rich tapestry of clinical experiences, exposing residents to the full spectrum of mental health challenges faced by veterans in Southern Nevada. Rotations encompass outpatient psychiatry, providing care for veterans in the community; inpatient psychiatry, managing acute mental health crises within a hospital setting; and elective mental health specialty programs, allowing for focused learning in areas of particular interest. This broad exposure ensures graduates are well-prepared to handle the complexities of acute care within mental health. A cornerstone of the VASNHS program is interprofessional collaboration. Residents routinely work alongside a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, social workers, pharmacists, psychologists, and primary care providers. This collaborative approach mirrors real-world clinical practice and enhances the resident’s ability to provide holistic, integrated care.
The program’s structure is thoughtfully built upon established nursing theories, notably Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science and Dr. Patricia Benner’s theory of Novice to Expert. This theoretical foundation underscores the program’s commitment to developing not just skilled clinicians, but also compassionate and effective healthcare leaders. VASNHS Behavioral Health Services offers a wide array of specialized programs, catering to veterans grappling with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, gambling disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurocognitive disorders, sleep disorders, and relationship conflicts. Residents will gain exposure to evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders, equipping them with a comprehensive toolkit for acute and long-term mental healthcare.
Beyond clinical proficiency, the residency program actively cultivates leadership skills. Residents are expected to undertake a scholarly evidence-based project, providing a platform to contribute to healthcare system improvement and advance the nursing profession. This project, along with opportunities to present findings to colleagues and service line administration, and potentially at professional conferences, prepares residents to be change agents and leaders within their field. The program also fosters strong ties with academic institutions, maintaining open communication with the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Reno, further enriching the learning environment and opportunities for professional growth.
Graduates of the VASNHS Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency emerge with a Residency Completion Certificate, documenting their extensive clinical hours and specialized training in acute care mental health. They are exceptionally well-prepared to confidently step into a wide range of mental health nurse practitioner roles within complex healthcare environments, ready to make a significant impact on the lives of veterans and contribute to the advancement of acute mental healthcare.
For those interested in applying to this transformative program and embarking on a rewarding career path focused on acute care for veterans, further information can be obtained by contacting the program directors:
Contact the MH-NPR Director:
Dr. Candie Cuneo, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
email: [email protected]
Office Cell: 702-715-1581
or
Contact PC-NPR Program Director:
Michelle Dunne, APRN
email: [email protected]
Office Cell: 702-600-5502
