Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (MSN)

Program Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (MSN) at La Salle University prepares nurses to provide comprehensive mental health services across the lifespan. The program emphasizes prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic psychiatric conditions through theoretical coursework and clinical practice experiences. Graduates are eligible for national certification and state licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with prescriptive authority.

Program Outline

• Name: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (MSN)
• Focus: Provides a full range of mental health services to clients across the lifespan.
• Availability: Open to nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN).
• Emphasis: Prevention, diagnosis, and management of both acute episodic and chronic mental illnesses.
• Coursework: Includes in-patient, outpatient, and community residential settings.

Outline:

• Content: Focuses on advanced practice psychiatric nursing, emphasizing prevention, intervention, and psychoeducation for acute and chronic psychiatric conditions.
• Structure: Includes theoretical coursework and clinical practice experiences.
• Schedule: Courses appear to be offered in a traditional semester format, but further details are absent.
• Modules:
• NUR 627: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role I
• Introduces the PMHNP role and responsibilities across various populations.
• Emphasizes legal and ethical aspects of advanced practice.
• Focuses on therapeutic communication and comprehensive assessment.
• NUR 628: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II
• Explores treatment models for various psychiatric conditions.
• Continues emphasis on legal and ethical guidelines in advanced practice.
• Addresses client needs with co-occurring disorders and neurocognitive issues.
• NUR 657: Field Study: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role I
• Provides hands-on clinical experience with clients.
• Applies assessment tools based on DSM-5 criteria.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program boasts a dedicated team of nursing professionals with specialized expertise in mental health.
• Methods: Teaching methods appear to include traditional lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on clinical experiences.
• Approaches: The school embraces a holistic approach, emphasizing leadership development, service, scholarship, and education.

Careers:

• Opportunities: Graduates are eligible to take the Psychiatric National Certification Exam and seek state certification.
• Job Title: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with prescriptive authority.
• Salary: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average annual salary of around $118,000 for nurse practitioners.

Other:

• Accreditation: The MSN program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Student Handbook: Provides additional program information and resources.