Master of Science in
Nursing (MSN),
Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nurse Practitioner
(PMHNP)- Lifespan
4-week
COURSES
Year-round
enrollment
240K+ Alumni Worldwide
Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared nurses (BSN), and is currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In keeping with graduate education standards for advanced practice nursing delineated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nurses, the curriculum and instruction prepare you to assume a leadership role in your particular specialization. You’ll learn and exercise advanced practice nursing skills with the goal of providing and organizing better healthcare delivery.
The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Lifespan (PMHNP) specialization prepares nursing professionals for advanced practice roles in providing primary mental healthcare to individuals, groups, and populations across a lifespan. As an independent member of the healthcare team, and in partnership with patients and their families, PMHNPs provide a variety of evidence-based services and therapies. They assess, diagnose, and plan care for complex psychiatric and concomitant medical issues, including the prescription and management of psychopharmacologic agents.
Program graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lifespan competency-based examination.
Admission Requirements
The following candidates are eligible for admission into the MSN program:
- Those who hold a BSN degree from a nursing program that meets one of these criteria: 1) A nationally accredited nursing program
2) A regionally accredited university/school that meets NU requirements for graduate study listed in the general catalog under “Academic Information for Graduate Degrees and Credentials”
- Those currently enrolled in the final course of their RN-BSN program and meet NU requirements for graduate study listed in the general catalog under “Academic Information for Graduate Degrees and Credentials,” including “Admission in the Term Prior to Bachelor’s Degree Completion”
All MSN candidates must:
- Provide proof of current, active, and unencumbered RN license in their state of employment and/or residence
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 will be considered by the MSN admission committee on a case-by-case basis
- Complete the NU graduate admission application
- Submit the MSN application packet
Candidates who graduated from a BSN program other than NU must:
- Provide an official transcript from each college or university attended to the registrar’s office.
- Provide two professional recommendations on approved forms, preferably from individuals who hold graduate or doctoral degrees.
Prior to starting specialization courses, all candidates must:
- Provide evidence of current, active professional liability and malpractice insurance coverage throughout the program.
- Provide evidence of specified immunizations, a recent physical examination report, a clear drug screen and background check, and current BLS certification.
Additional Program Information
- Candidates are required to meet with an admission advisor to review the process for applying to and acceptance into the Nursing program. Topics for review include: program of study, schedule of courses, and requirements for progression in the program. Note: prospective students should review the MSN and post-graduate certificate packet before submitting an application.
- Students should be proficient in operating a personal computer, including: demonstrated competency in standard computer operating systems and electronic filing systems, basic keyboarding skills, organizing and sorting electronic documents, demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and other standard computer applications, and familiarity with internet browsers and standard email systems.
- The MSN program is an online course of study with a mandatory onsite component. All accepted applicants must attend a virtual online program orientation. In addition, students in the FNP and PMHNP specializations are required to attend three or four one-day objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) either virtually or at an NU campus. FNP and PMHNP practicum courses are offered as immersion experiences conducted in person at faculty-approved, instructor-led clinical settings. FNP and PMHNP specializations carry additional fees. See the “Tuition and Fees” section of the general catalog for course fees.
- Students who request a change in specialization after having been admitted to a prior specialization must resubmit an application packet that includes a new goal statement and a completed recommendation form addressing the new specialization area. A new resume is not required. All prerequisites must be met prior to admissions into the new specialization. The new application will be resubmitted via the graduate Nursing e-form application in SOAR by the admission counselor.
- Students who withdraw from the program or withdraw their application prior to beginning the program will not need to reapply if the date of initial application occurred within one year of reapplication. Students requesting to be readmitted after one year of initial application for admissions will need to resubmit a new application packet that includes proof of drug screening, background check, immunizations, and a physical examination. Reapplication does not guarantee acceptance to the program or provide an advantage relative to other applicants.
This program is not available in all 50 States. Please see licensure website https://www.nu.edu/licensuredisclosures/ or consult an enrollment advisor for up-to date information.
Course Details
Foundation Courses
For the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization, you must complete six foundation courses, three specialization preparation courses, and nine specialization courses.
Course Name
This course explores the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse within a changing health care environment, focusing on role theory and role development related to advanced practice. Leadership skills are developed for independent practice and collaboration within multidisciplinary professional and organizational frameworks.
This course develops critical thinking skills to support advancement of nursing knowledge through theory development, analysis, and application of advanced nursing practice in diverse settings. Students explore the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing practice and develop skill in analysis of nursing and related theories.
This course explores fundamental concepts and methods of statistics as applied to health related fields. The topics of this course include: introduction to basic concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics as they apply to health research; basic and intermediate concepts for testing, statistical hypotheses, construction and interpretation of confidence intervals; applying selected parametric and nonparametric techniques; regression and multiple regression; analysis of covariance, multivariate ANOVA, and related multivariate analyses. Computer software will be used to illustrate statistical procedures.
Addresses the acquisition of knowledge and skills to promote health, help shape the health delivery system, and advance values through policy processes and advocacy. The intricacies of the organization and financing of healthcare delivery systems and the effect of health policies on healthcare delivery are the foci.
NSG 607 EBP for Advanced NSG Practice (4.50)
Exploration of types and quality of evidence used to support nursing practice. Study of research designs, measurement tools, and other methods for the safe application of evidence to development of improved care and care systems are emphasized. Identification of an evidence-based scholarly question pertinent to advanced practice nursing.
Centers on identifying and developing the skills needed by leaders in today’s healthcare arena. Students will employ the concept of leadership in the four key domains of advanced practice: clinical practice environments, the nursing profession, at the systems level, and in the health policy arena.
Preparation Courses for the PMHNP Specialization
In preparation for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization, you must complete the following three courses.
Course Name
This course develops critical thinking skills to support advancement of nursing knowledge through theory development, analysis, and application of advanced nursing practice in diverse settings. Students explore the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing practice and develop skill in analysis of nursing and related theories.
Presents information expanding the student’s knowledge base related to current health patterns across the lifespan. Faculty will facilitate the students’ acquisition of advanced skills in collecting subjective data and performing an adult physical and mental status examination. Students interpret data acquired through assessment and results of diagnostic studies.
Provides pathophysiological principles and concepts essential for performing advanced clinical assessments, differential diagnoses, and therapeutic decision-making. Describes disordered physiology and clinical consequences of common disease processes. Analyses of the biophysical rationale are used during seminar, problem-solving exercises and case studies to recognize the pathophysiologic bases of clinical findings.
* Preparation courses for the PMHNP specialization may be taken concurrently with the six MSN foundation courses.
Specialization Courses
All preparation courses for the FNP specialization must be completed with a passing grade before beginning any specialization courses.
Course Name
Provides a knowledge base for applying, analyzing and evaluating the culturally competent provision of patient-centered care. Diversity in the global healthcare delivery systems is addressed. Allows the graduate nursing students to explore various models and theories which guide the development of culturally competent nursing practice.
Advanced concepts in pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics for targeted symptoms in the management of various psychiatric disorders. Management of symptoms for various populations and risk-mitigation strategies are presented for clinical problems in primary mental health settings. Use of psychopharmacologic agents with medical comorbidities. Patient adherence strategies examined
Corequisite: MNP 694C
Evidence-based assessment, diagnosis and treatment/management approaches to various psychiatric symptoms and disorders are explored. Analyze concepts of neurophysiology and neuropathophysiology of adult/aging adults with psychiatric disorders. Examine the professional, policy and practice issues influencing the nurse practitioner’s role as a mental health provider for adult/aging adults with psychiatric disorders.
Corequisite: MNP 694
Facilitate practicum experience of the PMHNP student with adults/aging adults in mental health care settings. Accurately assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate the care of adults/aging adults with mental illness. Perform the advance practice role of manager, clinician, educator, researcher, and consultant in the provision of mental health services. Required 240 preceptored/field experience clinical hours Grading is S/U only.
Corequisite: MNP 687C
Evidence-based biopsychosocial assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with mental illness and/or developmental disorders are explored. Facilitate the knowledge of professional, policy and practice issues influencing the nurse practitioner’s role as mental health provider of children and adolescents with mental illness and/or developmental disorders.
Corequisite: MNP 687
Facilitate Practicum experience of the PMHNP student with children/adolescents in mental health care settings. Accurately assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate the care of children/adolescents with developmental, behavioral or psychiatric disorder. Perform the advance practice role of manager, clinician, educator, researcher, and consultant in the provision of mental health services. Required 180 preceptored/field experience clinical hours. Grading is S/U only.
Corequisite: MNP 688C
Provides a comprehensive review of psychotherapy principles and treatment approaches commonly used in primary mental health care services. Explores ways of developing effective therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on therapeutic communication. Individual, group and family psychotherapy across the lifespan are analyzed. MNP688A and MNP688C are taken concurrently.
Corequisite: MNP 688A
Learner applies theories and principles of psychotherapy learned in MNP688A. Assesses motivation and readiness for treatment. Applies various theories of behavior patterns, belief systems, therapeutic relationship strategies based on evidence to reduce emotional stress, facilitate cognitive and behavior change, and foster growth. Required 120 preceptored/field experience clinical hours. MNP688A and MNP688C are taken concurrently. Grading is S/U only.
Students demonstrate integration of knowledge from the core, core clinical and clinical coursework in the MSN-PMHNP Program. The compilation and interpretation of information from previous courses is demonstrated in a scholarly paper and successfully passing an exam which mirrors the national board certification examination for PMHNPs
Learning Outcomes
Students earning the Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization will learn to:
- Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge derived from the physical and behavioral sciences and humanities as a basis for advanced clinical nursing practice.
- Devise evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies at the patient, family, organizational, community, and population levels to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Utilize current technologies to deliver, enhance, and document care across multiple settings to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Apply organizational and systems leadership to current healthcare issues for the promotion of quality, effective, and safe patient care, including an emphasis on ethical and critical decision making, effective working relationships, and a systems-perspective approach.
- Model collaboration and coordination with interprofessional teams in healthcare systems to deliver care to complex, multi-need patients, families, and communities.
- Synthesize organizational, client-centered, and culturally appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of evidence-based behavioral healthcare and services to individuals, families, and identified populations.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.