National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Competencies Assignment
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Competencies
The NONPF core competencies are what all nurse practitioners learn and in which they develop their skills, regardless of the specialty they work in (Buppert, 2021). This paper discusses how the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program has equipped me with the skills needed to meet all nine standards. It also talks about how I want to change society and fight for rights in Illinois as a future PMHNP.
NONPF Competencies
Scientific Foundations
I learned more about neurobiology, behavioral science, and social science through the PMHNP program, which is important for advanced psychiatric care. To provide safe and effective care, I learned to evaluate scientific data and incorporate it into clinical decision-making (Johnson et al., 2025). These skills enable me to use theory-based interventions that help patients recover and achieve better outcomes across a wide range of groups.
Leadership
The leadership training I got in the program made it easier for me to make changes in mental health services. To support interprofessional teamwork and evidence-based methods, I learned how to communicate, work with others, and speak up effectively (Johnson et al., 2025). As a potential PMHNP, I want to be a moral leader who inspires others and improves psychiatric care.
Quality
The program stressed that psychiatric treatment should always be improving quality and evaluating outcomes. I learned to use clinical guidelines, outcomes, and patient feedback to assess how well care was working (Johnson et al., 2025). These skills help me identify gaps, use methods that have been shown to work, and ensure that safe, high-quality mental health services help patients recover as much as possible.
Practice Inquiry
The PMHNP program helped me improve my ability to conduct scholarly research that integrates theory and practice. It taught me to think critically about study results, apply them in clinical settings, and determine their impact on patient outcomes (Buppert, 2021). This competency gives me the chance to learn new things and help improve the field of psychiatric nursing.
Technology and Information Literacy
The program used telepsychiatry and information technology tools that are important for current mental health care. I learned how to use electronic health records correctly, how to use data to make professional decisions, and how to keep information private in digital settings (Tudhope, 2025). These skills prepare me to use technology to make mental care easier to get, better coordinated, and of higher quality.
Policy
My knowledge of healthcare laws, ethics, and institutions affecting psychiatric practice has improved through policy education. I gained the ability to assess policies that impact nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, reimbursement, and access to mental health care (Johnson et al., 2025). I intend to support legislation changes as a PMHNP that advance autonomy, parity, and fair access to mental health services.
Health Delivery System
I learned how to examine health care systems and identify factors that make it hard for people to access mental health care through the program. I learned how to work with community organizations and other key stakeholders to develop patient-centered, cost-effective care models (Denisco, 2023). With these skills, I can push for more integrated mental health services that meet the needs of the whole community and lead to better outcomes.
Ethics
Throughout my PMHNP course, there was constant emphasis on making ethical decisions. Managing complicated mental health cases taught me to respect patient rights, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity (Tudhope, 2025). This competency guarantees that I can handle moral conundrums with professionalism, empathy, and regard for human dignity, such as involuntary treatment or dual partnerships.
Independent Practice
I was equipped by the PMHNP program to work independently as a clinician who can give comprehensive, research-based psychiatric care. I am capable of conducting thorough evaluations, formulating differential diagnoses, and developing customized treatment programs (Denisco, 2023). To promote safe and competent autonomous practice, my training also reaffirmed the importance of continuous self-evaluation and teamwork.
Social Change Engagement
In underprivileged areas of Illinois, I hope to increase access to community-based mental health care as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in order to promote social change. My objective is to work with local groups, churches, and schools to advance early detection, prevention, and prompt treatment of mental health issues (Tierney, 2020). To reduce stigma and encourage people to seek treatment without shame or fear, I also intend to launch awareness campaigns. My goal is to enable families and communities to identify mental health symptoms and create supportive environments by creating culturally relevant training programs. With these projects, I want to build emotional health and resilience, and foster a culture that recognizes mental health as a vital component of total wellness.
Legislative and Advocacy Activities
The Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing (ISAPN) is a strong supporter of improved access to high-quality mental health treatments, fair compensation, and complete practice authority in Illinois. The group is in favor of laws that would eliminate stringent physician supervision and allow nurse practitioners to practice to the fullest extent of their training and education. By educating lawmakers about the vital role nurse practitioners play in addressing primary care shortages and mental health issues, ISAPN advocates at the grassroots level (Jackson-Burns et al., 2025). The organization also works with public health organizations to enhance behavioral health infrastructure and promote workforce development programs. Through these initiatives, ISAPN ensures advanced practice nurses have a significant say in shaping healthcare policy and enhancing patient outcomes across the state.
Conclusion
Through evidence-based learning and clinical practice, the PMHNP program has fully prepared me to meet all of the NONPF core competencies. My education has helped me become a better leader, improve my critical thinking about right and wrong, and work independently. As a potential PMHNP, I want to work toward better care, policy change, and social justice in psychiatric nursing.
References
Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Denisco, S. M. (2023). Role development for the nurse practitioner (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Jackson-Burns, S., Fowler, L., & Rivera, S. (2025). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner education through Academic-Practice partnerships in integrated care settings. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 21(6), 105403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105403
Johnson, H. L., Owen, R. P., Romito, K., Jennings, S., Hall, A., Patton, A. L., Braybrook, C., Beatty, J. R., Tetteyfio, G., Casper, B. A., Sheets, D. M., & Seibert, D. C. (2025). Measuring competency progression across the advanced practice nursing curriculum: A framework for continuous improvement. Journal of Professional Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2025.09.011
Tierney, M. (2020). Improving access to care in the context of opportunity. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 27(1), 88–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390320979705
Tudhope, J. K. (2025). The development and Design of a Competency-Based Curriculum for a Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 21(6), 105391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105391
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The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has determined nine broad areas of core competence that apply to all nurse practitioners, regardless of specialty or patient population focus. NONPF created the first set of Nurse Practitioner Competencies in 1990; the most recent updates were incorporated in 2017. This course was designed to prepare you to synthesize knowledge gained throughout the program and to apply each of the nine core competencies within your selected areas of practice and your representative communities.
The nine areas of competency are:
- Scientific Foundations
- Leadership
- Quality
- Practice Inquiry
- Technology and Information Literacy
- Policy
- Health Delivery System
- Ethics
- Independent Practice
To Prepare
- Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the NONPF Core Competencies Content.
The Assignment
For each of the nine NONPF competencies, write one paragraph explaining how the program has prepared you to meet the competency (for a total of at least nine paragraphs). Then, propose how you plan to engage in social change in your community as a nurse practitioner. Finally, describe 1–2 legislative and/or advocacy activities in which your state nurse practitioner organization(s) are involved. Be specific and provide examples.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (across the lifespan) certificationLinks to an external site. (PMHNP-BC) .
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner/- Scroll to ANCC Study Aids – Free for sample test questions and study guides to help you prepare for your certification exam.
- Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide Links to an external site. (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 12, “Lawmaking and Health Policy”
- Chapter 14, “Standards of Care for Nurse Practitioner Practice”
- Chapter 15, “Measuring Nurse Practitioner Performance”
- The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2017). Nurse practitioner core competencies Links to an external site.. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/20170516_NPCoreCompsContentF.pdf
- The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (n.d.). National organization of nurse practitioner faculties Links to an external site.. https://www.nonpf.org/
- DeNisco, S. M. (2023). Role development for the nurse practitioner (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 18, “Professional Employment: Preparing for Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing” (pp. 431-445)
- Zakhari, R. (2021). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual . Springer Publishing Company.
- Chapter 1, “Preparing to Pass the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam” (for review as needed)
- Chapter 16, “Practice Test”