Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), DNP

DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Location: AU Online
Credits for Degree: 98-107 semester credits
Standard Mode of Instruction: Distance
Standard time to completion: 48 months

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree at Antioch gives registered nurses the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and develop skills to use as a basis for advanced nursing practice as a transformational clinician. 

• Students who enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing to DNP (FNP or PMHNP major) curriculum can earn the MSN degree upon completion of the degree requirements with major in either Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner before completing the DNP Final Scholarly Project to earn the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. They will be afforded the ability to complete their MSN curriculum or its equivalent within the 6-year time limit.

Time Limit for Completion of the Master of Science in Nursing Degree

After a student has been admitted to a DNP major that includes a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, continuous progress toward completion of the degree is expected.  The time limit for completion of the degree is six (6) years and is computed from the first date credit is recorded on the University’s transcript until the degree requirements are completed. All students may petition for an extension of the time limit. Petitions requesting an extension of the time limit may be submitted to the Graduate School of Nursing and Health Professions Curriculum Committee via email to the Department of Nursing. Extensions may be considered: (1) if any unusual circumstances beyond the control of the student caused failure to meet the time limit policy, and (2) contingent on space available in the current class.

Health Requirements

Students may not participate in any practice hours unless all health requirements are up-to-date and on file in the Department of Nursing.  These requirements are due before the first day of class and include:

• Completion and submission of the Student Health Assessment form including all immunizations or documentation of immunity on file as determined by the Department of Nursing.

  • two-step TB skin test

  • Polio (4 dates or equivalent)

  • MMR (2 dates)

  • Varicella (2 dates)

  • Annual Influenza

  • Hepatitis B (2 dates)

  • COVID-19

• Current American Heart Association BLS for healthcare providers certification.

• Completed Ohio background check (BCI). If not lived in Ohio for the past 5 years, a completed FBI background check.

• 10-substance panel drug screen

All health requirements are submitted through an automated collection system. Students receive instructions for submitting health requirements upon admission and are responsible for keeping all requirements current.

Curriculum Objectives

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing curriculum, the graduate will be able to:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and relevant fields of study as a basis for an advanced nursing role.

2. Use the nursing process to perform the independent, collaborative and multifaceted functions of an advanced nursing role to optimize health care outcomes.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking when making decisions regarding the delivery of quality, cost effective, culturally relevant health care to individuals or populations including the vulnerable or underserved.

4. Analyze the legal, political, ethical, social, financial and professional functions of advanced nursing roles.

5. Examine health issues, health care delivery systems, including informatics and the implications for nursing.

6. Provide nursing leadership through advocacy and change management within the health care delivery system in advanced nursing roles.

7. Integrate caring behaviors and patterns into advanced nursing roles.

8. Apply the body of nursing knowledge through systematic inquiry, professional standards of care and evidence-based practice.

Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Major

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.

 

Current Tuition and Fees

University Tuition and Fees