Quality and safety graduate competencies in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner education

Education of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is undergoing massive change, partially driven by practice requirements and national certification changes, the development of new nurse practitioner competencies, and the development of the graduate quality and safety in nursing (QSEN) competencies. We are in the middle of a paradigm shift of expectations, not only just from these new competencies but also from the context of care and the impact PMHNP graduates will have on policy and health care delivery in the future. In this review article, the authors will discuss the general categories of the graduate QSEN competencies and how they relate to PMHNP education, competency development, and the application to curricular development in PMHNP programs across the United States. Importantly, these changes into PMHNP education, while remaining true to the fundamental tenants of advanced practice psychiatric nursing, prepare the PMHNP to meet the challenges of health care reform and service delivery.