The Vanderbilt Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Fellowship is a 12-month (January to December), ANCC Accredited postgraduate program focused on the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The PMHNP will be exposed to a variety of experiences within Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, including outpatient services, inpatient services, consult liaison services, the Vanderbilt Center of Excellence consulting for youth in states custody, and structured didactics focused on expanding the fellow’s knowledge base across disciplines in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. There will be an emphasis on outpatient care. The PMHNP Fellow works in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team at Vanderbilt Behavioral Health including psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other NPs, to provide diagnostic assessment and medication management for children and teens with psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, Autism, and other mental health conditions.
 | Catherine Shull, PMHNP, M.Ed. Professional Staff Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences PMHNP Fellowship Clinical Coordinator Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody (COE) Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry c.t.shull@vumc.org |
For additional information regarding the VUMC AP Fellowship Program, including application criteria and overview, please visit our website: https://www.vumc.org/nursing-oap/vumc-advanced-practice-fellowship
For additional information regarding the ANCC's Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation (APPFA) please visit: https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/accreditation/appfa/
Ideal candidate
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
National Board Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
TN License/Certificate of Fitness to Prescribe, eligible for NPI and DEA
Interest in working with children, adolescents, and families
The application period for the 2025 Fellowship is closed.
Applications for the 2026 Fellowship will open in summer of 2025.
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The CAP PMHNP Fellowship consists of 3 separate rotations:
- January – April: Inpatient Treatment Team at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH)
- May – August: Consult Liaison Service at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital (VCH)
- September – December: Outpatient Services at Vanderbilt Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic (CAPOC)
Other clinical components:
- One day a week continuity clinic at CAPOC to build outpatient case load
- Time at the Vanderbilt Center of Excellence serving in the role of consultant for youth in states custody
Other Clinical opportunities based on interest:
- Observing ECT/TMS Clinic at VPH
- Observing in other divisions at Vanderbilt Behavioral Health – this could include the Addictions Clinic, Early Psychosis Program, Eating Disorders Clinic, Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, PAS (Psychiatric Assessment Service), and the VBH School Based Program
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Seminar Series: twice a month lectures on CAP related topics. Past year’s topics have included:
Safety Assessment and Planning
Managing Trauma Related Behaviors
Working with Families in High Conflict Situations
Pediatric Anxiety Triad
ERP for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Working with Academically Gifted Patients
ADHD and Differential Diagnoses
Epilepsy and Co-Morbid Psychiatric Disorders
Tics and Co-Morbid Psychiatric Disorders
Concussion
Eating Disorders
Treatment Resistant Depression
Pediatric Catatonia
Psychosis
Functional Pain and Systems of Care
ASD Interventions
Working with LGBTQ+ YouthOther didactic components:
Psychiatry Grand Rounds
APRN Grand Rounds
Department MM&Is
Case Studies
Journal Club
Center of Excellence Lunch and Learns
LEAP! Mentorship Program
Fellowship QI Project