This month's ARPA awardee profile features Creighton University College of Nursing in Omaha. Sara Banzhaf, PhD, pictured right, tells us more about her team's project, which received support in the Behavioral Health Training and Education Opportunities category.
Tell us about your project and what made you want to pursue it?
Our project is titled, "Leveraging an Academic-Service Partnership to Increase Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Nebraska." The purpose of this project is to expedite increases in the behavioral health provider workforce in Nebraska by increasing the number of advanced practice nurse practitioners (APRN) currently practicing in the state who are dual-certified as psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. My goal in leading a team to apply for this grant was to increase access to quality mental health services in our state.
What do you find most exciting about the project?
The most exciting part of this project is to hear students share their experiences and how they are applying the knowledge and skills learned in our program in their clinical practices. It is so rewarding to hear the compassion and empathy in their voices as they grow in understanding of the various psychiatric-mental health disorders, and specifically how they view their role of making a future measurable difference to increase access to quality mental health services.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to success for the project?
The biggest barrier to success of this program includes the availability of preceptors to ensure clinical practicum experiences across the lifespan. Additionally, the multiple competing demands of post-graduate students, who are balancing their current full-time nurse practitioner roles, in addition to family and other personal responsibilities, while participating in a full-time program to learn a new specialty.
What learnings have you gleaned from the project so far?
Establishment of academic and community partnerships is critical to ensure students have quality clinical experiences. Establishment of monthly meetings is important for ongoing communication and planning. We've also seen how important it is for faculty to be flexible and available to students prior to and throughout the program to provide support and meet the students where they are. Provision of education and resources on the priority of self-care and the establishment of reflective practices are also essential components.
Learn more about the Creighton College of Nursing here.
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