“Patients are so appreciative to be able to receive services that are otherwise scarce in the areas that they live.”
PARTNER
Quality Outcomes, Compassionate Care. A PARTNERship That Goes the Distance.
PARTNER Fellowship Program
Overview
The Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Technology Enhanced Residency (PARTNER) at MUSC is a 13-month program designed to address South Carolina’s critical need for behavioral health providers. This program trains newly graduated psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) to deliver high-quality mental health care in primary care settings, combining hands-on patient care, mentorship, and advanced clinical training in telepsychiatry, integrated care, collaborative care models, and psychopharmacology. By increasing access to behavioral health services, strengthening clinical expertise and autonomy, developing a highly skilled workforce, and improving patient outcomes, the PARTNER program equips PMHNPs to confidently serve communities with limited access to care, including rural areas.Application Dates
Application Open: November 1, 2025
Deadline: February 5, 2026
Why Our Program?
Specialized Training: Develop expertise in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, telehealth, and collaborative care.
Hands-On Experience: 80% direct patient care, 20% professional development and education.
Mentorship & Support: Receive personalized mentoring, case reviews, and small group learning to gain confidence and autonomy.
Impactful Experience: Provide behavioral health services in primary care settings for children, adolescents, and adults.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is designed for newly graduated PMHNPs who:
- Graduated within the past 2 years from an accredited master’s or doctoral PMHNP program.
- Are board-certified as PMHNP-BC.
- Can commit to at least 2 in-person days per week in Charleston and are eligible to practice in South Carolina.
Program Features
Integrated Collaborative Care
- Collaborative Care: Fellows assess patients and provide recommendations to primary care providers, who oversee treatment.
- Telehealth Services: Use advanced telehealth platforms to provide high-quality care.
- Focus on Collaboration: Fellows serve as consultants to strengthen care delivery.
Advanced Clinical Training
- Build skills in integrated care, clinical decision-making, billing compliance, and quality performance metrics.
- Participate in mentorship, professional development, and small group learning.
Program Leaders
Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, NP-C
Associate Dean for Practice, Innovative Partnerships and Advocacy - College of Nursing
Director, PARTNER Program
Associate Professor, College of Nursing
Director, PARTNER Program
Associate Professor, College of Nursing
Dr. Terri Fowler is an Associate Professor and teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. She is the College of Nursing Director of Interprofessional Programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dr. Fowler is a first-generation college graduate. She started her nursing career as a registered nurse in the emergency department. Dr. Fowler is an AANP certified family nurse practitioner with experience in primary care and hospital medicine. She maintains practice as a nurse practitioner with Fetter Health Care Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center. She practices with an interprofessional care team focused on diabetes and chronic disease management.
Dr. Fowler has an interest in interprofessional practice and education. Dr. Fowler has secured funding and led multiple initiatives to develop interprofessional practice teams and student clinical rotations to improve patient outcomes and enhance student learning. She is the PI on a Duke Endowment grant integrating an interprofessional diabetes care team in a federally qualified health center to optimize patient outcomes in high risk populations. Dr. Fowler is the Director of Partners in Healthcare, a DNP-led interprofessional clinic that engages IP teams of providers and students in primary care for uninsured patients. She is interested in interprofessional practice and education and chronic disease management.
General Program Information
Yes, the program is designed for new graduates within two years of completing a PMHNP program, who are board-certified, and have a complete SC APRN licensure application submitted by June 15.
- Yes! You must live in or relocate within driving distance to the Charleston area.
- The program offers 50% telehealth and 50% in-person hours.
- The program runs Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with two to three days a week of in-person commitment.
Focuses on upskilling newly graduated psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in integrated behavioral health within primary care.
- Patients are referred by primary care providers for assessment, diagnosis, and medication recommendations.
- The program includes both telehealth and in-person models.
- Psychiatrists and PMHNPs provide consultative support, with the ability to prescribe medication in in-person models.
- Training in Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Integrated Primary Care Behavioral Health, and working with populations with limited resources.
- Emphasizes mentorship and real-time consultation.
- Serves patients aged 5 to 65 with diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
- Appointment lengths: One hour for new patients, 30 minutes for return visits.
- Patient load: Starts with two to three patients per day, ramping up to 9 to 12 by the end of the program.
Two positions are available in the program.
- 80% hands-on experience with direct patient care.
- 20% education, clinical support, and professional development.
- Mentorship from Psychiatrists and PMHNPs.
- Salary: $88,000 per year.
- Full-time position with state benefits, including health insurance and leave.
- Goal: transition to a full-time position at the Medical University of South Carolina after program completion.
The essay, letters of recommendation, and all other application materials are due Friday, February 10, 2025. All documents must be submitted with your application; late submissions will not be accepted.
Email adrianr@musc.edu for any questions regarding the application process or interview coordination.