Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fairfield , United States
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
Duration
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Mental Health | Nursing | Psychiatry
Area of study
Health
Course Language
English
About Program
Program Overview
Fairfield University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) program prepares nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders in patients of all ages. The clinically focused program emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, and social justice, equipping graduates for independent practice and leadership roles in various healthcare settings. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and integrates trauma and resilience competencies into its curriculum.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
General Information:
- Name: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP)
- Institution: Fairfield University's Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies
- Focus: Preparing nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic psychiatric disorders in patients of all ages.
- Structure: Primarily clinically focused
- Length: 3 years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time)
- Cost: Approximately $70-75,000
- Curriculum: Designed to meet the national competencies for PMHNP set forth by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).
- Key Features: Students learn to evaluate and apply existing evidence to improve practice outcomes. The program uses a cohort model and covers various aspects of healthcare, including population-level healthcare, organizational systems, leadership, business management, clinical scholarship, information technology, and policy-making.
- Graduate Outcomes: Prepares graduates for leadership roles in various settings, including academic institutions, inpatient psychiatry, psychiatric emergency rooms, outpatient community health centers, integrated behavioral health, home care, substance abuse, skilled and extended care nursing facilities, juvenile and criminal justice, emergency or crisis, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitals, federal facilities, and private practice.
Objectives:
- Develop competency in leading therapeutic groups, crisis and case management, prescribing psychotropic medications, and conducting psychotherapy.
- Equip graduates with the skills to be leaders in advancing healthcare delivery systems and improving health outcomes.
- Prepare graduates for independent practice through providing culturally sensitive and evidence-based care to individuals and populations.
- Train graduates to critically analyze healthcare systems while promoting ethical, legal, and socially just patient-centered care.
- Assist graduates in utilizing knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to inform clinical judgments, resolve healthcare dilemmas, and serve as patient advocates.
- Guide graduates in evaluating population and healthcare system outcomes through fiscal analysis and cost-effective strategies to achieve quality improvement.
- Enable graduates to utilize healthcare information systems and patient care technology to assure quality healthcare outcomes.
- Foster collaborative interprofessional relationships and partnerships to enhance healthcare delivery systems.
- Prepare graduates to assume leadership roles in healthcare policy analysis, development, implementation, and evaluation at various levels.
Outline:
Program Content:
- The curriculum is based on a holistic paradigm of healing, emphasizing shared decision-making, evidence-based practice, reflection, and social justice.
- Topics covered include: advanced healthcare policy, research methods, advanced nursing roles, population health, research translation for clinical practice, finance and quality management in healthcare organizations, information technology for healthcare improvement, leadership and interprofessional collaboration, and DNP immersion.
- The program requires completion of foundational clinical skills for advanced psychiatric nursing practice, mental health nursing of different populations (children, adolescents, individuals across the lifespan), mental health nursing of groups and families, primary mental health nursing of at-risk populations, psychopharmacology, and multiple practica.
Courses:
- A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and descriptions is available in the university's course catalog.
- Notable courses mentioned include:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Psychopathology
- Mental Health Nursing of Children and Adolescents
- Mental Health Nursing of Individuals Across the Lifespan
- Foundational Clinical Skills for Advanced Psychiatric Nursing Practice
- Mental Health Nursing of Groups and Families Across the Lifespan
- Primary Mental Health Nursing of At-Risk Populations Across the Lifespan
- Psychopharmacology
- Practicum I: PMHNP
- Practicum II: PMHNP
Faculty:
- Program leadership includes:
- Dr. Karen Corcoran (Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Assistant Professor of the Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health)
- Suzanne Strazza (Assistant Director of Graduate Admission)
Unique Approaches:
- The PMHNP program integrates trauma and resilience and palliative care competencies into the curriculum.
- Students receive psychotherapy and advanced trauma training with a focus on serving vulnerable populations and respecting individual dignity.
Careers:
- Graduates possess the skills for independent practice and leadership in various settings.
- Potential career tracks include:
- Quality management executives in healthcare organizations
- Advanced practice caregivers in acute, community, and long-term care settings
- Directors of clinical programs
- Faculty for clinical program delivery and teaching
Other:
- The PMHNP program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Fairfield University's PMHNP program was the first in Connecticut and one of the first in the US.
- The program emphasizes ethical, legal, and socially just implications of patient-centered care.
SHOW MORE