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Michelle K. Heyland, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Michelle Heyland
Director, Psych-Mental Health NP Program
Associate Professor, Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing
Areas of Expertise

Psychiatry, Mental health, Mental illness, Emergency department diversion, Crisis intervention, Community mental health 

Contact Info:

600 S. Paulina St.
Suite 1053D
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-0257
michelle_heyland@rush.edu
Links:
Biography

Michelle’s clinical experience has spanned inpatient psychiatry and community-based crisis work while a Registered Nurse. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Michelle has worked outpatient with a variety of populations including those with serious mental illness. Her most recent clinical experience was joining the Road Home program treating families of veterans. Michelle’s research has focused on emergency department (ED) diversion for individuals in mental health crises. The long-term goal of her research is to provide community-based alternatives for people in crisis to avoid unnecessary and inappropriate usage of EDs. Michelle obtained a BSN from Loyola University Chicago, an MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a DNP from Rush University. Michelle teaches in the GEM program as well as the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Rush University in courses including major psychopathologic disorders and management of psychiatric disorders. Michelle finds great benefit in practicing while teaching.

Honors and Activities

  • 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award, Illinois Nurses Foundation, 2015

  • Chair of NoStigmas’ Wellness Advisory Committee, 2014 - present

  • Daisy Award, The Daisy Foundation, 2010


Speaking Engagements

  • Evaluating Long-Term Outcomes of an Alternative to Emergency Departments for Adults in Mental Health Crises, abstract and poster discussion presented at the 29th annual conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, October, 2015.

  • An Alternative to Emergency Departments for Individuals in Mental Health Crises: “The Living Room” Program, podium presentation presented at the 28th annual conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association October, 2014.

  • Neurological effects of and an innovative intervention to acute stress. Abstract and poster presentation at the 9th Congress of the International Neuropsychiatric Association, September, 2013.

  • “The Living Room”: Offering people in crisis an alternative to overcrowded emergency rooms, abstract and poster discussion presented at the 26th annual conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association November, 2012.