Implementing a Telehealth Supportive Counseling Center With PMHNP Students.

BACKGROUND: This educational innovation describes the implementation of a telehealth supportive counseling center for psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) students at a small graduate school. The free, nurse-run, health care center was at risk due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in-person care restrictions. METHOD: Due to COVID-19, PMHNP faculty and students pivoted to offer services via telehealth for the summer 2020 semester. Planning and implementation strategies regarding this pivot are presented. RESULTS: PMHNP students conducted a total of 82 visits, recording a 150% increase in clients served during the telehealth implementation. On average, students accrued between 39 and 73 supervised clinical hours. CONCLUSION: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical placements as well as access to health care services were jeopardized. Through innovation and flexibility, PMHNP students were able to continue accruing supervised clinical hours, and an identified need in the community was continued to be met. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(11):651-654.].

Understanding the mental health impact of human trafficking.

The purpose of this report was to review the mental health consequences related to human trafficking and the important role of health care providers, particularly advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs), and psychiatric mental health NPs in identifying and responding to trafficking victims. The framework was based on a biopsychosocial model for assessment and a trauma-informed approach to care. An integrative review of the literature was conducted to offer a comprehensive overview of the mental health consequences. Deleterious mental health consequences are common in individuals who have experienced trafficking, and symptoms suffered by individuals were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as additional guidelines specific to a trauma-informed approach. Mental health sequelae experienced by trafficking survivors must be understood using a comprehensive trauma-informed framework for assessment and treatment.