Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) trains advanced practice nurses (already holding a BSN) to improve mental health care in their communities. Training focuses on integrated health care settings and lifespan approach with an in-depth focus on assessment diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and physical comorbidities. The program is a 2-year full-time program or 3-year part-time program.

One certification exists for graduates of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). 

PMHNP graduates meet the academic eligibility requirements to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Candidates who meet all academic eligibility requirements established by the ANCC or the AANP and successfully pass the ANCC or AANP examination are awarded the credential: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC). 

Program Highlights

• Training in substance use disorders
• Clinical opportunities across the lifespan and across multiple settings
• Focus on practice in the integrated health care setting

• Integrate relevant knowledge, principles and theories from nursing and related sciences into the advanced nursing care of individuals, families and populations. (Essential I)
• Demonstrate acumen in organizational leadership through effective collaboration, consultation, and decision-making. (Essential II)
• Integrate research translation and evidence appraisal  into advanced nursing practice to initiate change and improve quality outcomes.(Essential IV)
• Evaluate information science approaches and patient-centric technologies to improve health outcomes and enhance quality of care. (Essentials III, V)
• Analyze the impact policies, economic factors, and ethical and socio-cultural dimensions have on advanced nursing practice and health care outcomes. (Essential VI)
• Integrate the concepts of interprofessional communication, collaboration and consultation to effectively manage and coordinate care across systems.  (Essential VII)
• Incorporate culturally-appropriate concepts in the planning and delivery of evidence-based preventive and  clinical care to communities, and populations. (Essential VIII)
• Demonstrate expertise in a defined area of advanced practice nursing  that influences health care outcomes for individuals, populations and systems. (Essential IX)