National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

Background: No data exist about how directors of psychiatric mental health (PMH) graduate nurse practitioner (NP) programs have dealt with moving their programs to a lifespan model. It is equally unclear as to how many programs have changed to a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) level of clinical education.

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to gather data on the state of graduate PMH NP education as they align with regulatory models.

Methods: A brief survey was sent via e-mail to 118 program directors of PMH NP programs.

Results: Seventy-six program directors responded (64% return rate). Their responses indicate all programs have transitioned to a PMH NP lifespan model and about a third to the DNP level. Securing child clinical placements is a significant issue.

Conclusions: Significant challenges exist to growing the PMH NP lifespan workforce including how to assist PMH clinical nurse specialists, Adult PMH NPs, and other NPs wanting to obtain the PMH NP lifespan degree.