Mental Health 3 for Nurse Practitioners

Course Details

• 8 week course
  Online
• Start Date: April 14, 2025
  End Date: June 8, 2025

This 8-week online course focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner in mental health and addictions in the following areas: trauma, personality disorders with a focus on borderline personality, neurocognitive disorders with a focus on ADHD, palliative approaches to mental health, and mental health in corrections. The course content addresses care issues across the lifespan.

An interactive and case based approach is utilized to address mental health and addictions issues with an emphasis on critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Clinical experts discuss advanced health assessment, differential diagnoses for the presenting problem, relevant pathophysiology, red flags and how to triage patients who may need a higher level of care, the relevant diagnostic approach and tests, selection of appropriate interventions and treatments, indications for consultation and referral, and strategies for communication and effective management in transitions of care.

This is the third course in a 4-course Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions for Nurse Practitioners. The certificate builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry to practice education and the acquisition of entry-to-practice competencies. The certificate will equip Nurse Practitioners with the knowledge and tools to confidently assess and develop a treatment plan for clients with mental health and/or addictions issues across the lifespan.

It is assumed that course participants are competent at the entry to practice level as defined by their current practice jurisdiction.

Prerequisites:

Currently registered as a Nurse Practitioner or a student in a nurse practitioner program.

Audience

Nurse Practitioners who wish to further develop their competency, knowledge, skill and clinical acumen in the care of clients with mental health and addictions issues. Course participants must hold current registration as a Nurse Practitioner in their jurisdiction or be a student in a nurse practitioner program.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of the 4-course certificate program, learners will be able to:

A. Articulate the role and competencies of a Nurse Practitioner working with clients with mental health and addictions issues.

• Discuss key role and scope issues relevant to the NP role in mental health and addictions services.
• Demonstrate confidence to practice independently and collaboratively.

B. State the clinical care requirements and management for a wide variety of mental health and addictions issues in individuals across the lifespan, including the ability to:

• Conduct the appropriate advanced health assessment.
• Identify appropriate differential diagnoses for the presenting problem.
• Understand relevant pathophysiology.
• Recognize red flags and how to triage patients who may require a specialized and/or higher level of care.
• Identify appropriate diagnostic approach and tests.
• Select appropriate interventions and treatments and evaluation plan.
• Describe indications for necessary consultations and referral.
• Identify strategies for communication and effective management at transitions in care and for safe discharge.

Registration Now Open

Registration closes April 15th, 2025

Register Now

Course Outline

Course Format

Delivery Mode

This online course is  offered through the University of Toronto Learning Portal – QUERCUS. Each week, participants will be expected to view e-learning modules, review required readings and resources, and actively engage with learning activities that will focus on application of learning. Learning activities and assignments/examinations will provide opportunity to apply learnings and receive feedback. It is anticipated that participants can expect to allocate approximately 5 or more hours a week for completion of a module; and additional time for assignments.

Teaching Methods

Each week consists of a recorded lecture by expert clinician faculty. and who  will be available for questions through discussion board during their module. Each module focuses on discussion of the appropriate health assessment, relevant differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, red flags, use of diagnostic tests and screening tools, selection of appropriate interventions and treatments, and indications for referral and/or consultation, and considerations in transitions in care/discharge. Additional clinical resources are provided such as clinical practice guidelines, relevant practice standards, and clinical tools for practice.

Course Directors

Faculty

Registration Information

Fees

Early Bird price (ends March 14, 2025)

$870 + HST

Regular price (starting March 15, 2025)

$970 + HST

U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*

$825 + HST

U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%**

$825 + HST

NPAO Member save 15%***

$825 + HST

Site Groups

A group discount rate of 15% is available for site groups of three or more people. To book please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

OSAP for Micro-credentials

The Ontario Student Assistance Program now offers funding for micro-credentials (short training programs offered by post-secondary institutions), including a number of courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development. This funding initiative is part of Ontario’s micro-credentials strategy, helping learners access more opportunities to train or upskill for in-demand jobs through loans and grants.