NEW YORK STATE CELEBRATES INAUGURAL FELLOWSHIP CLASS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS  

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Welcomes First 12 Graduates During Ceremony at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center 

Yearlong Fellowship Builds on Workforce Development and Recruitment Efforts as Part of Investments in Strengthening the Mental Health System 

The New York State Office of Mental Health today celebrated the first class of psychiatric nurse practitioners to complete the agency’s intensive yearlong fellowship program, developing additional leadership skills, clinical experiences, and expanded competence. Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan congratulated the 12 individuals completing the program and lauded their commitment to their profession during a ceremony at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens. 

“Nurse Practitioners play a vital role in providing care and support for those recovering from mental health challenges,” Commissioner Sullivan said. “By completing this program, fellows further grow and develop their professional capacity and leadership skills as they continue their invaluable work in mental health.” 

The graduating fellows included three from South Beach, two from Pilgrim, and one each from Mid-Hudson Forensic, Rochester, Capital District, and Manhattan psychiatric centers. The New York Psychiatric Institute also graduated two fellows, and the New York City Children’s Center graduated one.   

The fellowship provides a discipline-specific learning pathway including advanced clinical training, mentorship, and collaborative learning, supporting compassionate care strategies focused on recovery for patients and families experiencing mental health challenges. 

To be eligible, nurse practitioners must be employed by OMH and nominated for the position. The fellowship offers access to clinical experts and the chance to work with peers to attain leadership and clinical skills. It also provides a unique professional opportunity that works to attract and retain nurse practitioners within the public mental health system at a time when the nation is experiencing a shortage of such medical professionals licensed to prescribe medication. 

The fellows study topics including laws and regulations, substance use disorders, trauma, treatments, suicide prevention, and mental health conditions. The fellowship program also features OMH clinical leadership and practicing nurse practitioners as guest faculty. 

Applications for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Fellowship open in January, and a second class of 14 fellows is scheduled to begin work next month. Nurse practitioners with fewer than 3,600 hours in practice or in need of additional training are eligible to apply.  

New York has about 454,000 registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives across all health care settings statewide. OMH employs about 160 nurse practitioners statewide, including in adult, forensic, civilian, and children’s settings. 

 “The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Fellowship offers the opportunity for professional development, advancement of clinical skills and access to a community of expert practitioners while ensuring excellent quality care is available to individuals and families of New York’s most vulnerable populations,” Chief Executive Nursing Officer Maxine Smalling said. “We are deeply proud of these fellows for their commitment to learning, elevating this practice at our facilities, and making a difference in the lives of their patients as they embark on a sacred journey of recovery. These expert clinicians embody the principles of Caring Science, enabling hope and resilience among their patients, and we look forward to the contributions these graduating fellows will make.”