Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (M.S.)

Program Overview

---

The Master's in Nursing degree with a specialty track in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) prepares experienced Registered Nurses to assess, diagnose, and manage mental healthcare patients across the lifespan. Graduates are eligible for the ANCC board certification exam for PMHNP-BC and can pursue careers as PMHNPs, Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Case Managers in various healthcare settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master’s in Nursing degree specialty track option in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) prepares the experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assess, diagnose, and manage mental healthcare patients across the lifespan.

---

Objectives:

• Graduates will be eligible to sit for the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC).

---

Outline:

---

Course Schedule:

• Core Courses:
• Foundations of Evidence Based Practice
• Health Promotion Theory and Population Health
• Leadership, Role & Collaboration
• Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
• Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
• Diagnosis & Management - Diagnostic Reasoning
• Neurobiology of Mental Disorders Across the Lifespan
• Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice and Assessment
• Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I
• Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I
• Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II
• Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
• Mental Health & Special Populations
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum IV

---

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• NURS 818: Foundations of Evidence Based Practice
• Introduces the principles of evidence-based practice, including the steps of the research process, critical appraisal of literature, and the application of research findings to clinical practice.
• NURS 816: Health Promotion Theory and Population Health
• Examines the theories and models of health promotion and their application to population health.
• NURS 915: Leadership, Role & Collaboration
• Explores the role of the advanced practice nurse as a leader and collaborator in the healthcare system.
• NURS 820: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
• Reviews the normal and abnormal physiology and pathophysiology of the major body systems across the lifespan.
• NURS 812: Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Examines the principles of pharmacology and the use of medications in the treatment of common health conditions.
• NURS 814: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
• Focuses on the comprehensive health assessment of adults and children, including physical examination, history taking, and health screening.
• NURS 911: Diagnosis & Management - Diagnostic Reasoning
• Develops the skills of differential diagnosis and management of common health conditions across the lifespan.
• NURS 977: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders Across the Lifespan
• Explores the neurobiology of mental disorders across the lifespan, including the role of neurotransmitters, neuroanatomy, and genetics.
• NURS 983: Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice and Assessment
• Introduces the principles of psychiatric-mental health nursing, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• NURS 978: Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I
• Reviews the pharmacology of psychotropic medications used in the treatment of mental disorders.
• NURS 991: Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I
• Focuses on the diagnosis and management of common mental health disorders in adults.
• NURS 979: Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II
• Continues the review of the pharmacology of psychotropic medications used in the treatment of mental disorders.
• NURS 992: Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II
• Focuses on the diagnosis and management of common mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
• NURS 986: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
• Provides clinical experience in the assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders in adults.
• NURS 990: Mental Health & Special Populations
• Explores the mental health needs of special populations, such as the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities.
• NURS 987: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
• Continues clinical experience in the assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders in adults.
• NURS 988: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
• Provides clinical experience in the treatment and management of mental health disorders in adults.
• NURS 989: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum IV
• Continues clinical experience in the treatment and management of mental health disorders in adults.

---

Assessment:

---

Assessment Methods:

• Exams: Written exams, including multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions, are used to assess student understanding of course content.
• Projects: Students may be required to complete projects, such as case studies, presentations, or research papers, to demonstrate their application of course concepts.
• Clinical Evaluations: Students are evaluated on their clinical performance, including their ability to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health disorders.

---

Assessment Criteria:

• Grading: Students are graded on a letter scale (A, B, C, D, F).
• Passing Score: A passing score of C (73%) or better is required in all courses.

---

Teaching:

---

Teaching Methods:

• Lectures: Faculty deliver lectures to introduce course topics and provide an overview of key concepts.
• Discussions: Students participate in class discussions to explore different perspectives and share their insights.
• Simulations: Students engage in simulations to practice their clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment.
• Clinical Rotations: Students complete clinical rotations in psychiatric-mental health settings to gain hands-on experience.

---

Faculty:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty, including nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and social workers.

---

Unique Approaches:

• The program emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health care, recognizing the importance of physical, psychological, and social factors.
• The program incorporates a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, ensuring that students are using the most current and effective treatment methods.
• The program provides students with opportunities to work with diverse populations, including individuals from different cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds.

---

Careers:

---

Potential Career Paths:

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Graduates of the program are qualified to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, providing mental health care to patients across the lifespan.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatry/Mental Health: Graduates may also pursue careers as Clinical Nurse Specialists in Psychiatry/Mental Health, specializing in providing advanced nursing care to individuals with mental health conditions.
• Case Manager: Graduates may also work as Case Managers, coordinating care for individuals with mental health conditions and helping them access necessary resources.

---

Opportunities:

• Graduates of the program are in high demand due to the growing need for mental health services.
• Graduates have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community mental health centers, and private practices.