The push to infuse mental health education across advanced nursing curricula

Abstract

Research indicates that knowledge gaps and unfavorable attitudes among primary care advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are linked to stigma surrounding psychiatric care, affecting the management of patients experiencing mental illness. Despite standards of practice and educational guidelines set forth by professional nursing organizations to increase quality of care, challenges exist when delivering care to patients with mental health disorders. Lack of integration of mental health education throughout graduate nursing courses contributes to an underestimation of its significance and applicability within advanced practice nursing in primary care. Advancing mental health education across primary care APRN curricula promotes access to psychiatric care, reduces disparities, and enhances health outcomes in the United States. Such practices increase competence and skills for primary care APRNs in the care of patients with mental health illness. This cultivates an advanced practice nursing workforce prepared to meet the evolving needs of diverse patients across the lifespan. Primary care APRNs offer a combination of clinical knowledge, holistic approach to care, and a strong focus on patient advocacy; therefore, we feel that enhancing primary care APRNs' knowledge in mental health may lead to decreased health care costs, increased access to psychiatric care, and decreased need for emergency mental health services.