Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), MSN

MS in Nursing: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Location: AU Online
Credits for Degree: 51 semester credits
Standard Mode of Instruction: Distance
Standard time to completion: 36 months

Program Overview

The PMHNP major prepares the graduate to assume a role as an advanced practice nurse with the population focus of psychiatric and mental health nursing across the lifespan. Students are prepared to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Examination for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.

In addition to meeting the objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing curriculum, graduates of the Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner major will be able to:

1. Synthesize theories and research from the physical and behavioral sciences relevant to primary care advanced nursing practice.

2. Incorporate a caring framework in applying the nursing process with healthy families and those with acute or chronic psychiatric or mental health problems.

3. Perform comprehensive health assessments utilizing a research-based practice, principles of problem-oriented data collection, concepts of epidemiology, therapeutic communication, history-taking skills, techniques of assessment and pertinent diagnostic data.

4. Interpret data to identify excesses, norms and deficits of individuals in a variety of health care settings.

5. Perform holistic, continuous, comprehensive and individualized primary health care to clients and families that includes anticipatory guidance appropriate for age/developmental status through the health/illness continuum.

6. Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability and efficacy.

7. Implement primary care management strategies with acute or chronic psychiatric or mental health problems.

8. Evaluate one’s own performance in the independent, collaborative and multifaceted aspects of the advanced practice nursing role in primary care.

9. Examine the legal, political, ethical, financial and professional aspects of the nurse practitioner role.

The PMHNP curriculum comprises (1) Science Core courses, (2) APRN Core courses, (3) PMHNP Didactic Courses, and (4) PMHNP Clinical Courses. All courses or their equivalents are required.

ACCREDITATIONS

CCNE Statement

The master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Antioch University are working toward accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

University Accreditation

Antioch University holds regional accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604 (800-621-7440; ncahlc.org).

Antioch University is authorized to offer Masters and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, 25 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215 (614-466-6000; ohiohighered.org).

Mission Statement

The Department of Nursing is committed to quality nursing education that uses a holistic caring framework to promote quality and safe healthcare. Our mission encourages personal and professional development of faculty, staff, and students. An appreciation for diverse perspectives and humane values is central to the mission. The goal of the Department of Nursing is to prepare lifelong learners who are committed to the profession, the community, and to meeting the changing health care needs of society.

Vaules

We believe in:

• The value of lifelong learning that includes development of intellectual abilities and humane values.

• The integration of liberal arts with a strong science base as the foundation of quality nursing care.

• Holistic caring as the framework for nursing practice to promote health of clients of all ages and in all health conditions.

• Purposeful and reflective clinical experience as the basis for developing expert nurse clinicians.

• The value of diversity to the profession and learning community with multicultural sensitivity incorporated into delivery of equitable health care.

• Service and caring as an inherent component of professional nursing that will promote access to quality nursing care.

• Scholarship that includes inquiry and critical reasoning as necessary for development of nursing knowledge and evidence for delivery of nursing care.

• The value of using developing technology to enhance nursing practice.

Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CHEA).

2. A current valid and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the state that clinical hours will be accrued. In addition, an applicant must not have had a previous revocation, denial, suspension, or restriction of their license from any state or country. Current unrestricted licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state where the clinical and immersion experiences, as well as any practice project will be conducted.

3. Minimum of one (1) year paid clinical work experience within the past three years as a Registered Nurse before the application deadline, documented on the submitted resume. Clinical work experience must include direct care in a public health, community, hospital, or ambulatory care setting that serves patients across the life span.

4. Evidence of capacity for graduate study.

   • A blended cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework on the submitted transcripts;

   • A Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale comprising grades in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, statistics, and chemistry courses.

   • Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better.

   • Positive professional recommendations.

5. After review of the materials, a selected pool of applicants may be required to participate in a faculty interview.

After review of the materials, a selected pool of applicants may be required to participate in a faculty interview.

 

Current Tuition and Fees

University Tuition and Fees