Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Today’s health care environment features a strong focus on mental illness, substance abuse and mental health among vulnerable populations. Earning your MSN in Psychiatric-Mental Health will allow you to work with populations of all ages and backgrounds and assess their mental health, diagnose conditions and provide primary care services.

In this online program you will develop the skills necessary to assess, diagnose and provide treatment options to patients with mental disorders. Additionally, advanced practice psychiatric-mental health NPs are able to collaborate with other health care professionals to influence health care reform and quality care improvements for patients.

 

Program Information

The Master Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is a three-year online program that prepares you to assess, diagnose and provide treatment options for patients with mental health disorders.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Master's

School

School of Nursing

Duration

3 years

Required Credit Hours

44

Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are required to meet several requirements to gain licensure. These requirements include becoming a registered nurse (RN), passing the NCLEX-RN, and earning an MSN or higher degree. The final step is passing the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) board certification examination (PMHNP-BC™). Online PMHNP programs, such as the one offered by Duquesne University, are designed to prepare students to pass this exam.

To qualify for our online MSN program, you must:

  • Hold a BSN from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Hold a current, unencumbered RN license
  • Have at least one year of full-time work experience as an RN prior to registration in the clinical or specialty courses
  • Have completed an undergraduate-level statistics course with a “C” or higher

    The faculty admissions committee may look more closely at nursing and science grades when making admissions decisions.

Admissions Process

  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Professional goal statement
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Two electronically submitted references (one academic and one professional in a supervisory role)
    • The supervisor reference letters must come from a direct supervisor who is responsible for your performance evaluation
    • If you have been out of school more than five years, please speak with your Enrollment Advisor for advice
  • An interview may be required

Transfer Credit Policy for MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students

  • A maximum of 9 graduate credits, completed within the past 5 years from a previously earned graduate degree, may be transferred.
  • A grade of “B” or higher is required.
  • The Advanced Standing Request form must be submitted during the admissions process for transfer credits to be considered.

Curriculum

View Course Descriptions

The psychiatric nurse practitioner curriculum was designed for students who are already working as registered nurses and have an interest in helping patient populations in both a physical and mental health capacity. You will participate in coursework that will educate you on the proper ways to assess, diagnose and manage patients of all ages with mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders.

There is a substance abuse component to this program in which graduates may fully participate in caring for those with substance abuse problems. In conjunction with our Master of Science in Forensic Nursing program, this innovative and cutting-edge curriculum will offer you a unique perspective on mental health and forensic nursing that other MSN programs do not offer.

  • GPNG 547 Historical and Contemporary Frameworks for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
  • GPNG 534 Advanced Pharmacology Applications (3 credits)
  • GPNG 533 Advanced Pathophysiology Applications (3 credits)
  • GPNG 548 Evidence Based Practice and Policy for Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
  • GPNG 535* Advanced Physical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Applications (75 total clinical hours include 50 hours precepted and 25 campus residency hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNG 549 Nursing and Health Care Ethics in Practice and Policy (3 credits)
  • GNMH 542 Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
  • GNMH 543 Psychiatric-Mental Health Theoretical Concepts (3 credits)
  • GNMH 544** Psychiatric-Mental Health I (50 clinical hours; 25 residency hours) (3 credits)
    • Note: Students enrolled in GNMH 544 must also complete the three day on-campus requirement.
  • GPNG 550 Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • GNMH 545** Psychiatric Mental Health II (225 clinical hours) (5 credits)
  • GNMH 546** Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical III (225 clinical hours) (5 credits)
  • GNMH 547** Psychiatric Mental Health IV (225 clinical hours) (4 credits)
  • GPNG 546 Transitioning to Role of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)

* Students enrolled in GPNG 535 are required to come to campus for three days. In addition to the campus residency visit, precepted clinical hours are also required for GPNG 535.

**Courses are considered clinical courses. Students must refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for all clinical policies and procedures specific to their program.