Psychiatric Nursing CEUs

Course Description

This CE course for psychiatric technicians covers various treatment approaches designed specifically to treat trauma-related symptoms, trauma-related disorders, and specific disorders of traumatic stress and provides a brief ov...

This CE course describes a 12-week cognitive behavioral anger management group treatment. Each of the 12 90-minute weekly sessions is described in detail with specific instructions for psychiatric technicians, including key conceptual components of th...

Unfortunately, in today's global culture there are stigmas associated with mental illness that often prevent the treatment and care of those in need. In an attempt to reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness, various countries have initiated a...

This CE course proposes strategies for the psychiatric technician to help them engage clients of diverse racial and ethnic groups, who can have very different life experiences, values, and traditions, in treatment. The major racial and ethnic groups i...

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide and people with mental illness are disproportionately affected with high smoking prevalence. This CE course reviews the determinants of tobacco use among smok...

A psychiatric or mental health advance directive (PAD) is a legal tool that allows a person with mental illness to state their preferences for treatment in advance of a crisis. This CE course provides background and practical i...

The safe and effective use of antipsychotic medications for children and adolescents in the United States is a critical issue in mental and substance use treatment. This CE course provides a centralized resource that articulate...

This course was developed as a Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Training overview. The course briefly looks at the background of the BPRS, along with the items that are rated, and the scoring and guidelines for each category.

CEU Course Objectives...

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), causing substantial distress for both people with dementia and their caregivers, and contributing to early institutionalization. This CE course explore...

For patients with PTSD to derive the greatest benefit from available evidence-based psychotherapies and psychiatric medications they must be able to fully engage in their treatment. This CE course describes factors that make pa...

Changes in marijuana policies across states legalizing marijuana for medical and/or recreational use suggest that marijuana is gaining greater acceptance in our society. This CE course covers what is particularly important for ...

Investigators have suggested that aspects of the intra-individual environment, such as psychiatric symptoms, may impact physiology directly and be as important as the external environment, if not more so, in predicting subsequen...

This CE course addresses the public policy recommendations for reducing the human and economic costs associated with severe mental illness by building and invigorating a robust, interconnected, evidence-based system of care that...

This short CEU course focuses on the neurological and psychiatric effects of marijuana, other cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system. Both the adverse and the potential therapeutic effects of the cannabinoid system are di...

This brief CEU course provides the results of a study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among youth transferred to adult criminal court compared with those processed in juvenile court.

Article Author: Ja...

This course gives a brief overview of how psychotherapeutic medications are used as treatment for mental illnesses. It covers specific medications for treating schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. In addition to des...

Ethical decision-making in healthcare occurs on a regular basis, often without so much as a passing thought. Healthcare professionals are held to high standards of moral character and an expectation to be patient advocates. This innate drive to do &ldq...

Neuropsychiatric disorders have surpassed cardiovascular conditions worldwide in causing disability and premature death. As healthcare professionals, nurses often encounter people with mental illness. This module discusses the etiology of severe mental...

Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors occur with greater frequency in adolescents and young adults. However, clinicians often overlook that adults also engage in these behaviors. Treating non-suicidal self-injurious behavior is critical, as it is assoc...

As many as one in four people with cancer will experience depression during or after their treatment course. The effects of depression can impact the patient’s psychosocial well-being and disease outcomes. Depression is associated with poor treat...

Healthcare professionals are increasingly recognizing the long-term effects of trauma on health. Experiencing trauma can affect an individual’s attitudes toward medical care. It is critical that healthcare professionals understand the relationshi...

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during times of the year when hours of sunlight are limited. To have a seasonal designation, people with SAD must meet criteria for diagnosis of clinical or major depression in addit...

Animals have been used as a means of therapeutic intervention for years and the healthcare field is rich in anecdotal stories about the human-animal bond. This bond shows potential in improving psychological health and well-being, including quality of ...

Sex is an activity of daily living (ADL), yet many clinicians do not feel comfortable or capable of addressing it in practice. This course will identify evidence-based strategies for starting the conversation, along with resources for education and int...

Up to 25% of people with cancer experience clinical depression, which can affect their disease outcome, compliance with treatment, and quality of life. Despite this, depression is known to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in people with cancer. Sever...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was once primarily associated with the survivors of war but is now recognized as affecting people who have experienced diverse types of psychological traumas. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide has continued to be the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. since 2008. Inpatient medical units are not designed to house patients who are suicidal, and healthcare profession...

A survey of state correctional facilities indicates that there are three times more mentally ill people in jails and prisons than in hospitals, making the correctional setting the de facto mental hospitals of our time. About 25% of jail and p...

Prepare for the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) exam with Nurse.com’s RN-BC® certification test prep course. This psychiatric mental health nursing certification review course is designed to fit your personal schedule and timeli...

Dating as a concept has an outdated meaning for today’s young people. Few report dating as it was experienced in previous years; rather, many teens talk about “hooking up, going out, talking, or fooling around.” Dating violence, howev...

Compassion fatigue (CF) occurs when a caregiver experiences what experts call "secondary traumatic stress" in reaction to caring for those who are themselves suffering from traumatic events. Although caregivers don't actually experience the e...

Crisis is broadly defined as an exceptional event that is disruptive and beyond a person’s usual coping skills. The goal of crisis intervention is to return individuals or families to the optimum level of functioning they experienced before the c...

Many people suffer from illnesses that are treated with controlled substances. Severe chronic pain can deeply affect function and quality of life. Clinicians face a difficult task of appropriate management in improving symptoms, function, and quality o...

Healthcare providers face many difficulties when prescribing controlled substances for chronic pain and other medical conditions. Timely and appropriate treatment of pain can improve function and quality of life for patients. However, commonly prescrib...

People experiencing situational stress and psychiatric and substance use disorders are seen increasingly in EDs, contributing to the burden on already busy departments. This course informs ED nurses about psychiatric emergencies, including the assessme...

Phobias present diagnostic and treatment challenges for caregivers. For patients, the impact can vary from minimally annoying to downright disabling. Recent estimates reveal that phobias affect 19 million American adults, representing 8.7% of the popul...

The Tourette Association of America estimates that one in every 160 children has been diagnosed with TS, and one out of 100 children has a tic disorder. TS affects boys three to four times as often as girls, and about 86% of those afflicted have been d...

Advances in disease management and illness prevention have contributed significantly to advancing longevity over the past century. Today an estimated 15 percent of the population in the United States is over age 65. This number is expected to more than...

Worldwide, approximately 20% of the population age 60 and over suffer from psychiatric illnesses and neurological disorders. An estimated 50 million people live with neurocognitive disorders (dementias). The most prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions i...

Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant similar in structure to amphetamine. Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug, which means it has a high potential for abuse and psychological or physical dependence. Although methampheta...

While generally considered a social phenomenon, cult membership has very real consequences for overall health. This course serves to familiarize nursing professionals with health issues related to cult involvement. It first provides a basic definition ...

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 of the American Psychiatric Association considers nonsuicidal self-injury as a condition for further study. The manual defines NSSI as “intentional self-inflicted damage to the surface of the body of the so...

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65; by 2050, up to 16 million will have the disease. Earlier recognition and for...

Most violent crime cases in our society are documented statistically in the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and National Crime Victimization Surveys and clinically by the number of victims admitted to EDs of trauma centers and hospitals. People are more apt ...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with many behavioral, social, and psychological problems such as school failure, family problems, social difficulties, depression, and anxiety. Previously, it was thought that most children ...

Many healthcare practitioners are probably unaware of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of psychiatric disorders that may occur during the puerperium. However, they need to be able to distinguish among these disorders so mothers can receive appr...

Clinical, or major, depression is a significant chronic disease worldwide. The World Health Organization identifies depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide and estimates more than 300 million people suffer from depression and almost 800...

Addictions (defined loosely) can be healthy, unhealthy, or a combination of both. Fascination with a hobby and the desire to spend a great deal of time engaged in an activity can be an outlet for learning, creativity, and self-expression. However, in a...

This course will examine the reasons for healthcare disparities among ethnic and racial minorities, the ways in which both the cultural backgrounds of patients and their clinicians can negatively impact patients’ mental health outcomes, and what ...

This course has been approved for 2 hours by the Commission on Case Manager Certification for 2014 and 2015.

16.2 million adults reported depression episodes in 2016. The prevalence of depression was highest among adults ages 18 to 25 years. Amon...

Social anxiety disorder, previously called social phobia, is a relatively common condition that creates significant distress for those affected. Certain types of social or performance situations trigger it. Social anxiety disorder is treatable; the mai...

Abuse by factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) occurs when the parent seeks medical attention for their child that subjects the child to unnecessary extensive testing and medical interventions. The disorder, previously known as Munchausen syndr...

Delirium is a medical condition manifested as a disturbance in consciousness and cognition that occurs for a short time. Causes of delirium vary, but most cases are seen in hospitals. Postoperative delirium is associated with longer hospital stays, inc...

Surveys have shown that about 20% to 28% of American adolescents (middle school and high school age) report being bullied. Research studies have shown that those who are chronically teased or bullied can suffer short- and long-term psychological conseq...

Alcohol is the most abused drug in the world. It affects an estimated 6.5% of the U.S. population at some point in their lifetime, and many become patients in acute care. Although acute and chronic alcohol abuse are common conditions in patients admitt...

The goal of this course is to present clinical information about the co-occurrence of psychiatric and substance use disorders, and to examine ways of integrating psychiatric and substance abuse treatment.

Computers, mobile devices, and related technologies have become a daily part of life for children and adolescents. The internet is an expedient mode of communication and provides access to a wealth of information, but it can also be detrimental to the ...

Adolescent alcohol use and abuse is a serious public health problem that shows no signs of abating. Alcohol use by teens is defined as at least one drink in the past 30 days, binge use is five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the pa...

Spirituality is a broad concept that includes the need of all people to find ultimate meaning and purpose in life, and to feel connected to self, other people, transcendence, or nature. This educational activity will address the knowledge, attitudes, a...

In 2019, an estimated 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. 5.6 million were older than age 65, and about 200,000 younger individuals had early-onset Alzheimer’s. An increasingly older population is expected to add to ...

Homelessness continues to be a significant problem in the United States. Serious mental health conditions and substance use disorders complicate care for this population. Emergency departments, walk-in clinics, and mental health centers are often areas...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by uncontrollable thoughts and repetitive behaviors and is associated with varying levels of functional impairment. Once thought rare, it is now recognized as one of the five most common ...

Affecting 1.6% of the adult population, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is common than bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. However, the lifetime prevalence of BPD is estimated at 5.9%, and these patients often suffer from other psychiatric disorde...

Behaviors associated with oppositional defiant disorder usually become evident before 8 years of age and are easily confused with those behaviors typical of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder. The degree of reactivity differe...

The National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs found that 14.6 million children (ages 0 to 17) in the United States (19.8%) have special healthcare needs. Caring for a child with a disability or chronic health condition is often a lifel...

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) indicates that at some point in their lives, 7% to 8% of the U.S. population will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, although more than half will...

Most people take prescribed medications properly, but many obtain drugs fraudulently, use medications that are not prescribed to them, or use more than prescribed or take them for reasons other than medically indicated. The nonmedical use of prescripti...

Suicide is a public health concern, and risks are often overlooked in elderly patients. While in recent years there has been a shift to higher suicide rates in middle age, there is still concern regarding suicide risk in older adults, especially males....

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) notes that nearly all patients experience some level of distress at diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond into survivorship. NCCN Guideline for Patients®: Distress Supportive Care Book Series d...

The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 6.2 million Americans ages 12 and older misused psychotherapeutic drugs in the previous month. Of those, 3.3 million were misusers of pain relievers, 2 million of tranquilizers, 1.7 mi...

Schizophrenia is nearly always a lifelong illness, persisting continuously or episodically. For some, it follows a stable course, while others experience worsening symptoms that are disabling. Onset may be abrupt or gradual. Distorted thinking and abno...

This module highlights bipolar and depressive disorders, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, which appeared for the first time in the DSM-5 (A...

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 8% to 10% of American children younger than 18 years have some sort of learning disability that has the potential to continue to affect them into adulthood. While the true preval...

Suggestion, rather than persuasion, threat, or force, is a powerful way to influence behavior change. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, healthcare staff members constantly offer both beneficial and negative suggestions. Preliminary evidence ind...

Many forensic nurses focus on interpersonal violence. At one time, schools — a workplace for students, teachers, and nurses — were considered safe. The reality is that violence on school grounds and inside school buildings is continuing in ...

A stress response causes specific biological changes, such as increased heart rate, bronchodilation, horripilation (goose bumps), increased blood pressure, increased sweat production, decreased immune response, decreased insulin, and increased blood gl...

Divorce is a major life event that can compromise emotional and physical health. The stress of divorce and the associated loss heightens the risk for mental health problems. Addressing individual needs of children who are in the middle of a divorce wil...

Dementia in the older adult has become a major health concern. Resources, both human and financial, are challenged; the older adult population is growing by nearly 1.6 million a year, an increase projected to continue over the next 20 years. People old...

Background

Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, phobias such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders), social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia (abnormal fear of places or situ...

Background

Inpatient behavioral health facilities benefit greatly from accreditation from the Joint Commission (JC) and must meet several standards in order to maintain this recognition. Nurses and healthcare professionals must be able to underst...

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence can be as high as 7%, according to Sayal, Parsad, Daley, Ford, and Coghill (2018). While this number may seem small, there is a concern that ADHD is often underdiagnosed in c...

At the conclusion of this exercise, the learner will be prepared to:

Review the basic aspects of personality disorders, including epidemiology.Identify the American Psychiatric Association's latest guidelines for diagnostic criteria of personalit...

This module explores the most common types of psychotherapy, providing an overview of the wide range of therapeutic approaches, indications, and core components to enhance nursing practice and the care of patients with mental health conditions.

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At the conclusion of this exercise, the APRN will be prepared to:

Identify the appropriate terms and definitions related to psychotic disorders.Consider the impact of psychotic disorders on healthcare in the US.Identify possible risk factors that...

At the conclusion of this exercise, the nurse will be prepared to:

Identify the appropriate terms and definitions related to psychotic disorders.Consider the impact of psychotic disorders on healthcare in the US.Identify possible risk factors tha...

This course introduces professionals who may or may not currently work in emergency departments to the issue of psychiatric emergencies. Psychiatric illnesses that may require emergency treatment are divided between those involving adul...

Borderline personality disorder is a severe, complex psychiatric disorder characterized by long-standing patterns of disproportionately intense emotions, impulsive and self-destructive behaviors. Mental health providers tend to harbor n...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness affecting approximately 2.5% of the population. Characterized by recurrent thoughts or worries (obsessions) and a strong desire to perform certain actions or acti...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness affecting approximately 4% to 12% of the population. Characterized by persistent problems with distractibility, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, ADH...

The unique and dynamic environment of the oral and maxillofacial complex is subject to a wide variety of pathological processes. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in these systems can range from a temporary inconvenience to a life...

This peer reviewed course is applicable for the following professions: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational N...

This peer reviewed course is applicable for the following professions: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational N...

This peer reviewed course is applicable for the following professions: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), Nursing Student, Occupational Ther...

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic that was originally approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, and thereafter for bipolar I disorder. Its use has continued to expand as it is now used to treat other psychiatric conditions, such as irritability in ch...

Health disparity is a persistent problem within the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Health disparity is evidenced by a greater prevalence of acute and chronic diseases and psychiatric and social disorders within these groups. The Federal...

A binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binging on food and involves continuous eating despite not feeling hungry and until uncomfortably full, often eating secretively, and consuming wide varieties of food. People who binge-e...

Benzodiazepines have been widely prescribed for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, psychiatric emergencies, and seizures. Neuro-inhibitory processes take place with the use of benzodiazepines, and patients need to be advised of both ...

Methamphetamine, also referred to as “meth,” is an amphetamine derivative that is extremely powerful. It is frequently misused globally, and as will be seen, it can have considerable negative effects on a person’s physical, behavioral...

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder of varied etiology and symptomatology and its treatment depends on multiple factors, including age of onset and type of seizure. Most often, epilepsy is a lifelong condition that requires close medical management. Antiepi...

Synthetic cannabinoids are often used by people who think it is the same as regular marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoids are more potent than tetrahydrocannabinol and more psychoactive than the natural occurring substance found in marijuana. Compared to t...

Prochlorperazine is a phenothiazine with antiemetic effect and psychoactive properties. It has been widely used for many years in the prevention and relief of nausea, vomiting, vestibular and psychiatric disorders. The drug has  well-known affinit...

Pimozide is a first generation antipsychotic drug that selectively blocks dopamine receptor D2 and is used to treat psychiatric mood disorders, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. It works by reducing dopamine activity, hence decreasing exces...

Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic that is used for the treatment of patients who have a psychotic disorder. It is used off-label to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, chronic tic disorders, and psychosis and agitation associated wi...

Duloxetine is an antidepressant that acts as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It has labeled uses for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder, and...

Loxapine is an antipsychotic that is used for the treatment of patients who have schizophrenia. It is known as a typical antipsychotic with high-potency effect, typically used in lower doses and titrated to effect. Loxapine has low activity at histamin...

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant drug that has been approved for the treatment of various kinds of epilepsy. It has also been studied as a treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The mechanisms by which topiramate acts as an anticonvulsant...

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines a substance use disorder as a problematic pattern of substance use with significant clinical impairment based on specific criteria. Symptoms are classified accordi...