Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum

2025-2026 Academic Year

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is excited to invite applications to apply for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practicum program for the 2025-2026 academic year. This program is designed to give students enrolled in PMHNP graduate program clinical experiences working with students in a college mental health setting. CAPS offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more. CAPS is a multicultural, multidisciplinary, and multi-theoretical staff. We are committed to affirming diversity and seek to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone we serve.

The CAPS PMHNP practicum program welcomes applicants from the following affiliate PMHNP programs:

• University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing
• Regis University Loretto Heights School of Nursing

Qualifications to Apply

The following qualifications are required to apply:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited psychiatric nurse practitioner program at one of the 3 aforementioned affiliate programs.
• Committed to social justice and multiculturalism, as evidenced by course work, community involvement or life experience.
• Ability to work well with college age students as well as racially and ethnically diverse populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Flexibility and openness to delivering care through multiple modalities (telemedicine, in person sessions, group therapy, workshops).

Training

• Training will include an orientation period to CAPS (see below)
• The PMHNP Practicum clinical year will begin on Monday, August 26, 2025
• The PMHNP Practicum clinical year will end on Friday, May 7, 2027

Orientation

Practicum students are required to attend orientation prior to the start of the fall semester. The orientation is designed to acquaint all trainees with CAPS policies and procedures, university regulations, ethical and service delivery guidelines and campus resources. The orientation period will consist of 7-14 days spread out across the weeks of Aug. 3 to Aug. 21 2026. The specific days and times will be determined after the practicum student selection period in order to best coordinate with student availability. We ask that students plan to prioritize availability during this time frame. 

Expectations

The PMHNP Practicum program requires 16 hours (or two days) per week. This may be more than is required by your program but is an opportunity to graduate from your program with a higher level of clinical proficiency. Please keep in mind that it will be your responsibility to keep track of your hours to make sure you have completed the number of hours required by your program. Clinical hours will coincide with the academic semester, and students are not expected to attend during university breaks and holidays.

All practicum students will be trained on the provision of telehealth services and it is possible that some of the practicum experience may be conducted remotely. At this time, CAPS continues to provide clinical care in a hybrid format with staff working both onsite and remotely by telehealth. Students should anticipate being onsite for both of their assigned weekly clinical days. However, depending on supervisor assignments, there may be an opportunity for one of your weekly clinical days to be attended remotely by telehealth. All practicum students will observe and participate in initial psychiatric evaluations and follow up medication management appointments. Additional opportunities to gain experience in process group observation may also be available. All practicum students will participate in a weekly 2hr seminar with psychology practicum students with DEI and didactic training. Supervision will be provided primarily by MDs and NPs, however, in special circumstances you may be supervised by another licensed clinician (PsyD, PhD, LPC, LCSW).

Of the 2 weekly clinical days, all practicum students will be expected to attend on Tuesdays. This will allow for both the PMHNP and psychology practicum students to participate in the weekly interdisciplinary didactic and DEI seminar. Students may then choose either Thursdays or Fridays as their other preferred clinical day.

Additional Information

• Credentialing through Human Resources must be completed prior to starting the training program. Practicum students will also be expected to successfully complete a criminal background check.
• Time off will be given during University holidays and break periods. Additional time-off requests must be approved in advance by your clinical supervisor and the training coordinator. They will coordinate with you a plan to make up these hours in most cases if needed.
• Additional clinical hours may be arranged on a case-by-case basis, during breaks or following the successful completion of the training program.

To Apply

Please submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter: please discuss your specific interest in completing a practicum at Counseling and Psychiatric Services at CU Boulder and what you are hoping to learn from the experience.
2. A current curriculum vitae or resume.
3. One letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with your clinical work.  This may be an instructor, supervisor or someone knowledgeable of your clinical skills.
4. Please send all application materials to David Leonard at David.Leonard-1@colorado.edu.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by April 24, 2026. Late applications may be considered if space is available and on a case by case basis.

Individual interviews will be scheduled from early to mid May 2026 with offers made by the end of May.