Post-MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Graduate Certificate Courses

Program Overview

The Post-MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Graduate Certificate program at Wilmington University prepares nurses with a master's or doctoral degree in nursing to provide comprehensive mental health services to diverse populations. The program combines theory, practice, and therapeutic interventions to promote the highest level of psychiatric mental health care. Graduates will be eligible for national board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Post-MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Graduate Certificate program prepares graduates to provide comprehensive mental health services to diverse populations. The program combines theory, practice, and therapeutic interventions to promote the highest level of psychiatric mental health care. Graduates will be eligible for national board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Objectives:

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence in the management of patient mental health/illness.
• Graduates will be able to employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to guide screening activities, identify health promotion needs, and provide anticipatory guidance and counseling addressing environmental, lifestyle, and developmental issues to manage mental health conditions.
• Graduates will be able to plan and implement diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions to help patients with unstable and complex health care problems regain stability and restore mental health in collaboration with the patient and multidisciplinary health care team.

Program Description:

The psychiatric mental health certificate program at Wilmington University has been developed for nurses who have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and are nationally board certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

Outline:

Content and Structure:

The program includes a combination of didactic and clinical coursework. Didactic coursework covers topics such as psychopharmacology, therapeutic modalities, psychiatric conditions, and mental health management. Clinical coursework provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.

Course Schedule:

The program is offered online and can be completed in as little as 12 months. The following is a sample course schedule:

• Semester 1:
• MSN 8348 Psychopharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse Across the Lifespan
• MSN 8349 Therapeutic Modalities and Psychiatric Conditions Across the Lifespan
• Semester 2:
• MSN 8350 Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions and Therapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan I
• MSN 8351 Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions and Therapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan II
• Semester 3:
• MSN 8352 Psychiatric Mental Health Management of Serious Conditions in Vulnerable Populations Across the Lifespan: Family/Group
• MSN 8353 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I
• Semester 4:
• MSN 8354 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum II
• MSN 8355 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum III

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• MSN 8348 Psychopharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse Across the Lifespan: This course provides an overview of the principles of psychopharmacology, including the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of psychotropic medications.
Students will learn how to prescribe, monitor, and manage psychotropic medications for patients with mental health disorders.
• MSN 8349 Therapeutic Modalities and Psychiatric Conditions Across the Lifespan: This course provides an overview of the major therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of mental health disorders, including individual, group, and family therapy.
Students will learn how to assess patients for therapeutic needs, develop treatment plans, and implement therapeutic interventions.
• MSN 8350 Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions and Therapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan I: This course provides an overview of the major psychiatric mental health conditions across the lifespan, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.
Students will learn how to assess patients for psychiatric mental health conditions, develop treatment plans, and implement therapeutic interventions.
• MSN 8351 Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions and Therapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan II: This course continues the study of major psychiatric mental health conditions across the lifespan, including substance use disorders, eating disorders, and trauma-related disorders.
Students will learn how to assess patients for these conditions, develop treatment plans, and implement therapeutic interventions.
• MSN 8352 Psychiatric Mental Health Management of Serious Conditions in Vulnerable Populations Across the Lifespan: Family/Group: This course focuses on the management of serious mental health conditions in vulnerable populations, including children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Students will learn how to assess patients for serious mental health conditions, develop treatment plans, and implement therapeutic interventions in a family and group context.
• MSN 8353 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I: This practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a clinical setting under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.
Students will be placed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.
• MSN 8354 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum II: This practicum continues the application of knowledge and skills in a clinical setting under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.
Students will be placed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.
• MSN 8355 Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum III: This practicum continues the application of knowledge and skills in a clinical setting under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.