Melanie Baker DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Education
- DNP, Family Psychiatry Specialty, University of South Alabama, 2014
- MSN, Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, University of South Alabama, 2013
- BSN, Nursing, University of South Alabama, 2011
- ASN, Nursing, Charity School of Nursing, DCC, 1998
- AS, Computer Information Technology, Delgado Community College, 1988
Research Interests
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children, Adolescents, and Adults
- Suicide Prevention for Children, Adolescents, and Adults in Outpatient Mental Health Settings
- Complementary and Alternative Adjuncts for Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Aggressive Behaviors
- Pharmacogenetics in Psychiatric Treatment
Publications
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Pressley, T. R., Varnado, M. B., Lauerer, J., & McMillan, J. P. (2018). Effectiveness of Digital Behavioral Parent Training in Pediatric Patients with Externalizing. The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. doi: In Review
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Williams, K., & Varnado, M. (2015). Child and adolescent psychiatric medications in Marini I. & Stebnicki, M. (Eds.) The Professional Counselor’s Desk Reference (2nd ed). New York: Springer.
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Varnado, M., Williams, K., & Dahmes, R.A. (2014). Behavioral parent training effect on disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents. Journal of Psychology and Clinical Psychiatry 1(6): 00039. DOI: 10.15406/jpcpy.2014.01.00039.
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10/2015 – 11/2015 Expert/Textbook Content Reviewer, John Wiley & Sons; reviewed text: Yearwood: Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health for determination of publishing updated edition.
Teaching
Doctoral Courses Taught
- NU 600 DNP Project Planning and Development
- CMN 604 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP PP&D
- NU 612 Clinical Prevention and Population Health
- CMN 617 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP Residency I
- CMN 618 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP Residency II
- CMN 619 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP Residency III
Honors and Awards
- Gail Sands Scholarship in Nursing, Recipient, University of South Alabama, College of Nursing, 2011-12
Certifications and Affiliations
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – Certification – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – PMHNP-BC
- Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau International
- Golden Key International Honor Society
- Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- American Nurses Association
- Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners
Professional/Community Service
- 1/2017 – present Editor, Psychological and Behavioral Science International Journal
- 8/2017 – present Subject Matter Expert – Content and Assessment creation for DSM and NCLEX style questions for Pearson’s MyLab – Advanced Pharmacology
- 8/2017 – present PMHNP Volunteer Consultant, A1 Best Care Group Homes
- 8/2017 – 5/2018 Preceptor – 360 hours (two students) Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students – University of South Alabama.
- 8/2017 – 5/2018 Preceptor - 420 hours (two students) Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students – Nicholls State University
- 7/2017 – 3/2018 Subject Matter Expert -PEDR3 – Pearson Pathophysiology
- 8/2017 – 2/2018 Subject Matter Expert – NURS 5302 – Leadership for Quality, Safety, and Health Policy for Elsevier
- 1/2018 – 5/2018 Preceptor – 500 hours Prescriptive Authority Requirement for Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Adult Psychiatry – Louisiana State Board of Nursing
- 2/2015 – 8/2017 Subject Matter Expert – Reviewer, SPCP01 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Questions, Springer Publications, LearningMate Solutions, Inc.
- 9/1/16 – present Volunteer Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - New Orleans, LA – for outpatient mental health clinic providing comprehensive psychiatric assessment, treatment, and management of clients in Health Professional Shortage Area.
- 2/2016 –6/2016 Preceptor – 120 hours (two students) Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students from Nicholl’s State University.
- 10/16 – 12/16 Preceptor – 180 hours (three students) Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students from University of South Alabama College of Nursing.
- 3/2015 – 9/2015 Participant, CCNE Criteria Development and Coordination for Survey