Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track

Program Overview

Xavier University's online MSN - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program prepares students to assess and treat mental health conditions in various settings. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based, culturally-sensitive, and holistic care, and graduates are eligible for national certification. The program requires 49 credit hours, including 600 clinical hours, and is led by experienced faculty, including Dr. Cathy Messinger, the Track Coordinator.

Program Outline

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track | Xavier University:

Degree Overview:

• Program Description: The online Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMHNP) program prepares students to work as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in various inpatient and ambulatory settings, including clinics, hospitals, and treatment centers.
• Focus: The curriculum emphasizes facilitating lifetime care for individuals, families, communities, and populations' health, utilizing evidence-based, culturally-sensitive, and recovery-oriented holistic care.
• Program Objectives:
• Prepare students to assess and treat the mental health needs of patients at risk of or currently coping with mental health conditions like addiction, anxiety, and depression.
• Prepare students to work as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, and social services settings.
• Provide culturally-competent, population-based preventive, management, and holistic care information for the treatment of complex mental health problems, behavior disorders, or psychiatric diagnoses.
• Certification: Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Outline:

• Program Structure: The MSN PMHNP program requires 49 credit hours, comprising:
• 19-semester hour MSN core
• 2 semester-hour synthesis and application
• 28 semester hour / 600 clinical hour PMHNP core
• Course Requirements:
• Online MSN Core Courses (19 credits):
• NURS 500: Health Care Ethics for Nursing Leaders (3 credits)
• NURS 501: Theoretical Bases for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 502: Nursing Research (3 credits)
• NURS 505: Health Care Informatics (3 credits)
• NURS 690: Health Care Policy for Nursing Leaders (2 credits)
• NURS 864: Epidemiologic Methods in Health Care (3 credits)
• NURS 532: Leadership and Management for NPs (2 credits)
• PMHNP Track Courses (30 credits):
• Nurse Practitioner Core (9 credits):
• NURS 658 – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
• NURS 680 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
• NURS 756 – Advanced Health Assessment for RNs (3 credits)
• PMHNP Core (19 credits):
• NURS 780 PMHNP Core 1 (3 credits)
• NURS 783 PMHNP Clinical Practicum 1 (1 credit)
• NURS 786 Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology Across the Lifespan (2 credits)
• NURS 784 PMHNP Core 2 (3 credits)
• NURS 785 PMHNP Clinical Practicum 2 (1 credit)
• NURS 787 PMHNP Clinical Practicum 3 (1 credit)
• NURS 782 Role Development & Ethical Issues for the PMHNP (2 credits)
• NURS 788 PMHNP Core 3 (3 credits)
• NURS 789 PMHNP Clinical Practicum 4 (1 credit)
• NURS 791 PMHNP Clinical Practicum 5 (1 credit)
• NURS 790 Current Issues and Trends in PMH (1 credit)
• Total Practicum Hours:
600 contact hours (required for certification)
• Synthesis (2 credits):
• NURS 797: Scholarly Project (2 credits)

Teaching:

• Faculty: Students take classes with the same world-class faculty as traditional students.
• Track Coordinator: Dr. Cathy Messinger will join Xavier University in the Fall of 2024 as the Track Coordinator of the Nurse Practitioner Programs.
She has extensive experience in teaching and clinical practice, particularly in mental health and substance use disorders.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work in various settings, including:
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Treatment centers
This program requires 18 to 27 semester hours, depending on the applicant's previously completed coursework.