Essential educational content for advanced practice in psychiatric consultation liaison nursing

Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Nursing (PCLN), an advanced practice subspecialty of psychiatric mental health nursing, has evolved over the last 4 decades in response to increased recognition of the importance of psychophysiological interrelationships and their impact on wellness, physical illness, and recovery. PCLN specialists practice in many countries although there are few PCLN programs in schools of nursing. This article defines PCLN, reviews its history, and recommends essential educational content for inclusion in a masterʹs curriculum to prepare graduates for competent and effective PCLN practice. The educational content is based on the work of the PCLN Core Curriculum Task Force of the International Society of Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Nurses and is integrated with the 1990 Standards of Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Nursing Practice and the 2000 Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Practice. The relationship of the PCLN educational content to other national curriculum guidelines is discussed in the proposed PCLN curriculum content.