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Society for Education and Research in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (SERPN) Division

The Society for Education and Research in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (SERPN) was officially organized in 1986. Its predecessor was a group organized in 1983 - the Council of Dean and Directors of Graduate Programs in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Thus from its roots SERPN has concerned itself with graduate education in psychiatric nursing and the evolving research base for psychiatric nursing practice. Now as a component of ISPN, the division’s members are a vital mix of educators, researchers and Advanced Practice Nurses; all dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of the consumers via the education and development of the advanced practice workforce, research, and innovative practice models.

SERPN’s Purpose:

• Promote the generation, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge specific to the mental health of populations and care of persons with mental illness.
• Advocate for the autonomous role of the advanced practice nurse.
• Support collaboration with consumers, families, health care providers and other concerned groups.
• Provide a forum to advance education, research, and advanced practice in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
• Provide leadership in designing future directions in these domains.

SERPN has several core activities. One is the development and revision of the essential components of psychiatric-mental health in graduate and undergraduate education. As an ISPN division, SERPN is in continual dialogue with consumer groups, government agencies, educators and health care organizations; gathering data on mental health treatment, health care policy and work force issues. Periodic revisions in the educational guidelines reflect these dialogues, emerging trends and knowledge development.

SERPN also focuses on facilitating the development of psychiatric-mental health research. To this end SERPN has established networking mechanisms for researchers, participates in ISPN’s annual forum where investigators present their work, and has designated research funds which provide small awards to students and researchers. SERPN also becomes involved in policy issues pertinent to mental health and psychiatric-mental health nursing. SERPN’s/ISPN’s efforts ensure the visibility and participation of psychiatric-mental health nursing at the numerous professional and government forums which shape mental health policy, practice and research priorities.

The official journal of the SERPN division is Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, published by W.B. Saunders. Archives is a source for excellent articles on current research and theory in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Each issue contains a column, SERPN News, reporting on the activities of the organization. Learn more about SERPN through this column or by contacting one of the Division officers listed below. We are interested in hearing from educators, researchers and advanced practice nurses about their ideas and concerns.

It is essential to connect those concerned with the growth of psychiatric mental health nursing. These connections will help us develop consensus on the issues at hand and maintain a strong voice in shaping policy, education, and practice. Please consider lending your voice, ideas and expertise to SERPN, be it in the form of membership or as feedback to one of our division officers/committee members.

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