Joan Fraino, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNL

She/Her/Hers

Areas of Expertise

• Nursing Educator
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Leader

Biography

Dr. Joan Fraino is the Chair of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program at Touro University California, where she leads program development, curriculum innovation, faculty mentorship, and the preparation of future psychiatric nurse practitioners. With more than 10 years of experience in advanced practice nursing, higher education, and healthcare leadership, she is passionate about educating Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students to provide compassionate, evidence-based, and integrated patient care.

Dr. Fraino is a dually board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of San Francisco. She provides comprehensive primary care for adults ages 18 and older and psychiatric evaluation and treatment for patients ages 6 and older. Her dual certification allows her to integrate physical and mental healthcare, promoting whole-person wellness and improved patient outcomes through a collaborative, patient-centered approach.

Clinical Specialty

• Family Practice
• Women's Health
• Integrative Medicine
• Psychiatry

Education

• Doctorate of Nursing Practice, University of San Francisco, California, 2015
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, University of San Francisco, California, 2015
• Family Nurse Practitioner, University of San Francisco, California, 2016
• MSN, CNL, Clinical Nurse Leader, University of San Francisco, California, 2013
• Public Health Nurse, San Jose State University, California, 1993
• Registered Nurse, San Jose State University, California, December 1992

Certifications

• Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC)
• Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC)
• Board Certified Clinical Nurse Leader, Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC)

Research

• Fraino, J. A. (2024). *Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.* In *Comprehensive Healthcare Simulation.* Springer International Publishing.
  https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-31090-4
• Fraino, J. A. (2021). *Facilitating Well-Rounded Clinical Experience for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Students.* *Journal for Nurse Practitioners,* September 20, 2021.
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1555415521002348
• Fraino, J. A. (2015). *Mobile Nurse Practitioner: A Pilot Program to Address Service Gaps Experienced by Homeless Individuals.* August 1, 2015.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26182208/

Recent Publications

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-31090-4

Teaching Responsibilities

• Program Chair of Psychiatric Mental Health Program
• Preceptor for nurse practitioner students