Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions for Nurse Practitioners

The Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions for Nurse Practitioners builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry to practice education and the acquisition of entry-to-practice competencies. The certificate program will equip Nurse Practitioners with the knowledge and tools to confidently assess and develop a treatment plan for individuals with mental health and/or addictions issues, across the lifespan. The program will consist of four courses offered by distance education through the University of Toronto Learning Portal. Each course will be 8 weeks in length. Learners may take the courses in any sequence and will earn a certificate by completing all four courses over a 2-year period.

An interactive and case based approach will be utilized to address mental health and addictions issues with an emphasis on critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Clinical experts will 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.

Course content will not focus on competencies related to health promotion, quality improvement and research, leadership, education, and ethical practice. It is assumed that participants are competent at an entry level with regard to these factors and will apply as appropriate in practice.

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.

Certificate Criteria

Participants must successfully complete all 4 courses, normally over a 2-year period, to earn the Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions for Nurse Practitioners. The passing grade of 70% is set for each course. Courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development cannot be credited towards a degree program.  

  • Participants may take individual courses without completing the full certificate
  • Courses may be taken in any order
This certificate program was developed in collaboration with the Mental Health Community of Practice of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario.

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:

  1. Discuss key role and scope issues relevant to the NP role in mental health and addictions services.
  2. 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:

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

Available Courses

Mental Health 1 for Nurse Practitioners

This 8-week online course focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner in mental health and addictions in the following areas: acute/crisis/emergent care considerations including the provision of virtual care, […]

Mental Health 2 for Nurse Practitioners

This 8-week online course focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner in mental health and addictions in the following areas: depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic […]

Mental Health 3 for Nurse Practitioners

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, […]

Mental Health 4 for Nurse Practitioners

This 8-week online course focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner in mental health and addiction in the context of care in the following areas: substance-related and addictive disorders […]

Course Format

This certificate consists of 4 courses, each 8-weeks in duration and delivered through the University of Toronto’s learning management system (Quercus).

Contact Us

Centre for Professional Development
Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
University of Toronto
155 College Street, Suite 130
Toronto, ON, Canada
M5T 1P8