The Rotations Process
for PMHNP Students
A structured, immersive learning experience designed to prepare them for autonomous practice in psychiatric and mental health care. It combines clinical exposure, mentorship, and reflective practice to foster professional growth and competency development in a variety of settings.

Introduction & Overview
The rotations process for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students involves a structured series of clinical placements designed to provide comprehensive training and hands-on experience in various aspects of psychiatric and mental health care. Here’s an overview of what this process entails:
Clinical Site Selection
- NP One Source collaborates with a variety of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, community mental health centers, and outpatient clinics.
- Students have input into site preferences based on career goals and interests, though placements are ultimately determined by program requirements and availability.
Rotations Planning
- School Field Coordinators work with students to plan their rotations based on curriculum requirements and individual learning objectives.
Rotations Structure
- Rotations typically span a specified number of hours or weeks, varying by program and academic semester structure.
- Each assigned rotation aims to develop specific competencies outlined by the PMHNP program, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, medication management, therapy techniques, and crisis intervention.
Preceptorship
- Each rotation is supervised by a qualified preceptor who is often an experienced PMHNP or Psychiatrist.
- Preceptors guide students in clinical decision-making, patient management, and professional development.
- Students may also participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, and interdisciplinary collaboration sessions during their rotations.
Hands-on Experience
- Students engage in direct care under supervision, conducting psychiatric evaluations, developing treatment plans, and implementing therapeutic interventions.
- They gain experience in medication management, psychotherapy techniques, crisis intervention, and patient education.
- Emphasis is placed on integrating theory with practice and applying evidence-based approaches to patient care.
Assessment and Feedback
- Throughout each rotation, students receive ongoing feedback from preceptors and faculty to assess their clinical skills, professional development, and progress toward achieving learning objectives.
- Formal evaluations may be conducted periodically to document competency attainment and identify areas for further development.
Integration and Reflection
- At the conclusion of each rotation, students reflect on their experiences, consolidating learning outcomes, and consider how these experiences inform their future practice as a PMHNP.
- They may participate in debriefing sessions, seminars, or case presentations to share insights and lessons learned with peers and faculty.
For Preceptors:
Preceptorship Toolkit
Our Preceptorship Toolkit is an essential resource designed to support preceptors in mentoring, developing, and evaluating psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. This toolkit offers guidance on best practices for preceptorship, ensuring that PMHNP students receive the support and direction needed to provide high-quality mental health care while enhancing their professional growth and commitment to evidence-based practices.
Interested in becoming an NP One Source Preceptor?
What’s Available?
- A mini-series of videos on best practices for precepting PMHNPs in various stages of their career.
- Performance evaluation templates.
- Guidance on how to provide constructive feedback and set achievable goals for performance.
- Case studies that can be used for case reviews and discussing complex cases while factoring in safety and ethical considerations.
- Self-care and wellness techniques on work/life balance and stress management.
- 1:1 consultation services available with an experienced preceptor.