Nursing (MSN - PMHNP)

Program Overview

The Simmons online MSN – PMHNP program prepares registered nurses to become advanced practice mental health care providers. Through a combination of live online classes and clinical experience, students develop the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide compassionate, patient-centered care. The program emphasizes substance misuse, health equity, and social justice, and graduates are eligible for certification as PMHNP-BCs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Simmons online MSN – PMHNP program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program aims to prepare students to meet the critical need for mental health providers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, patient-centered mental health care across the lifespan.

Objectives:

• Prepare students to provide compassionate, patient-centered mental health care across the lifespan.
• Develop knowledge and skills in psychiatric mental health diagnosis and treatment.
• Conduct mental health assessments, diagnose, provide brief individual, group, and family therapy, make psychopharmacological recommendations, prescribe medications, and recommend additional interventions to improve patients' mental health and overall quality of life.
• Focus on a holistic approach to patient care, considering individual experiences, family situation, and community as important factors in mental health.
• Prepare students to help patients and families manage and overcome addiction.
• Explore psychiatric issues through a health equity and social justice lens.
• Develop leadership skills in the mental health field.

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a combination of live, online class sessions and self-paced coursework.
• Students work closely with faculty who are experts in the field.
• The program provides hands-on clinical experience in or near the student's community.

Careers:

• The PMHNP program prepares students for a career path as an advanced practice mental health care provider.
• Graduates are eligible to sit for the ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam to become a PMHNP-BC™.
• Upon certification, graduates are eligible to pursue licensure in the state of their choice, although some states may have additional licensure requirements.
• Potential career settings include community mental health centers, hospitals, and private practice.

Other:

• The program has a focus on substance misuse and addiction.
• The program explores psychiatric issues through a health equity and social justice lens.
• The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program track has been approved by CCNE as part of the Master’s program.
• The program is offered in partnership with 2U.
• The program has been offered online for nearly a decade.
• The program has a supportive community of nursing professionals dedicated to helping students grow as caring and confident nurse leaders.
• The program provides ongoing guidance and advice from expert Simmons faculty and dedicated staff.