Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, MS
The master's program in psychiatric-mental health nursing prepares psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced, comprehensive care to children, adolescents, adults, and older adult clients with mental health issues and psychiatric disorders. After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and become certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC).
The program of study focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychiatric clients across the lifespan as well as mental health promotion and psychiatric disease prevention. Within the classroom and during experiential training, simulation, and supervision sessions, students are taught to perform psychiatric evaluations; determine psychiatric diagnoses; conduct individual, group, and family psychotherapy; and, prescribe and manage psychiatric medication. Mentoring is provided by licensed psychiatric clinicians at diverse practicum sites including counseling centers, private practices, psychiatric clinics, child and adolescent residential centers, substance abuse facilities, psychiatric emergency centers, and correctional facilities. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop specialty concentration hours in chemical addictions, community, forensic psychiatry, and post-trauma focused care.
Students have the unique opportunity to learn from experienced academicians and practicing psychiatric nurse practitioners. Students also have the opportunity to conduct research, publish articles, speak at state and national conferences as well as serve as leaders in psychiatric nursing organizations.
Requirements
Psychiatric/Mental Health Practitioner Track (21 credits)
| NUR 5205 | ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY | 3 |
| NUR 5215 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH NURSING I | 3 |
| NUR 6150 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH NURSING I PRACTICUM | 3 |
| NUR 5216 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH NURSING II | 3 |
| NUR 6160 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH NURSING II PRACTICUM | 3 |
| NUR 5300 | MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NUR 6350 | MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN PRACTICUM | 3 |
Core Courses (26 credits)
| NUR 5015 | THEORETICAL CONCEPTS IN ADVANCED PRACTICE | 3 |
| NUR 5040 | HUMAN DIVERSITY/TRANSCULTURAL NURSING | 3 |
| NUR 5050 | CONTEMPORARY ROLE OF THE ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE | 3 |
| NUR 5500 | RESEARCH FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE | 3 |
| NUR 5200 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN | 3 |
| NUR 5240 | ADVANCED CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NUR 5260 | DIAGNOSTICS & THERAPEUTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE | 3 |
| NUR 5230 | ADVANCED PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC REASONING ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN | 3 |
| NUR 5150 | TRANSITION INTO ADVANCED PRACTICE | 2 |