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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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