University Of North Carolina
Tuition: $34,535 for full program in-state tuition $61,124 for full program out-of-state tuition
A part of UNCs Master of Science nursing program, psychiatric-mental health is an advanced practice area that students can focus their studies on. This all-around education will require students to be able to attend in-person practice, something to keep in mind before applying.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the PMHNP program, the students will:
Online Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Master of Science in Nursing
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, 37% of Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner , youll be in demand as you deliver patient-centered, holistic care to patients with psychiatric disorders. Through this online PMHNP program, youll further develop the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver mental health care to patients across the life span, making a positive impact on the health of your patients and the health of your communities.
Prepare for a career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Flexible online classes with 24/7 access
- 15-week psychiatric nursing courses
- 95% passage rate for all nursing programs on national certification exams
- Become eligible to sit for the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ANCC Certification Exam
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Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certification
Once you complete your education program, you will have to pass the PMHNP certifying exam, issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center . According to the ANCC, upon successful completion of the exam, you will be Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified . Once you earn your license, the credential is valid for 5 years.
Potential Pmhnp Salary And Jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $109,820 for a nurse practitioner. However, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioner article on a career as a PMHNP, full-time PMHNPs reported a mean total annual income of more than $131,000.
Psychiatricmental health nurse practitioners may be employed in a psychiatric mental health facility and treat depression, anxiety, insomnia and dementia, according to the AANP article above. Learn more about nursing salary by career, states and the highest-paying states for each career.
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Pmhnp Certifications And Licenses
In order to practice in your state as a psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner, its important to meet all requirements in that state. Each state is likely to vary in requirements, so be sure to check with your state board of nursing first. Apart from post-masters certification options from universities, there are a couple of other nursing certifications available in psychiatricmental health nursing:
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association online certificate program APNA Transitions in Practice for RNs who are not yet PMHNPs
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association Connection Certificate that explores biological processes behind human behavior
How Much Does A Pmhnp Nurse Practitioner Degree Cost
The cost of this degree program is dependent on where you attend college, how long you are enrolled in the program, and the amount of pre-requisite courses you completed in previous degree programs.
Other factors that can affect the cost of tuition is whether or not you plan to pursue your degree online and how much time you would have to take off of work to complete your degree. Online degree programs are a much more suitable method for degree acquisition for busy working professionals than tradition in-class programs. The cost of tuition for these programs can be billed in 1 of 3 ways, by the credit hours, by the semester, or by a flat rate for the entire program.
It is important to review the costs of each of these programs in order to determine which college gives you the best bang for your buck. Our team of educational experts searched for some popular PMHNP degree programs available across the United States. Some of the results regarding the cost of tuition are listed below.
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Why Become A Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The demand for qualified mental health professionals is increasing due to a number of factors, including rising awareness of mental health issues. Being a psychiatric nurse practitioner allows you to work with patients and the community in an underserved area of healthcare. It also is a career path that will offer job security and good pay.
What Is A Pmhnp Nurse Practitioner Degree
The field of nursing touches on nearly aspect of human health and health care within the United States. One field in particular that requires special attention from nurse practitioners is that of mental health. In the United States, there are record numbers of people suffering from mental illness.
These illnesses can range from mild to severe, and can have a dramatic effect on the lives of those that suffer from them. PMHNP degree programs were developed to provide a helping hand to psychiatrists and psychologists that are responsible for the care of these patients. Since PMHNPs are responsible for caring for people that suffer from psychological disorders and mental illness, the majority of the degree program focuses on these disorders and how they affect those that have been diagnosed with them.
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner At Southern Miss
Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses who have gained advanced preparation for expanded clinical practice. Advanced practice nurses must be grounded in theory and utilize research and evidence as guides to their clinical practice. We have two options for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Southern Miss: BSN to DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing , Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at The University of Southern Mississippi are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791, and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Rn To Msn Pmhnp Programs
As the name implies, an RN to MSN PMHNP program helps registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing go directly from RN to MSN without the extra step of going back to school to earn a BSN degree. To be considered for an RN to MSN program, you must have a valid RN license and meet the admission requirements for your chosen specialization. Learners in these programs typically take 30-36 months of full-time study to earn their degree.
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Applying To An Online Pmhnp Program
Psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are essentially MSN degrees with a specialization in psychiatric mental health care, and applicants should hold an undergraduate degree. Many schools prefer candidates with a bachelor of science in nursing degree, while some RN-to-MSN bridge programs accept associate degree-holders.
Applicants must usually demonstrate a minimum GPA from 2.5-3.0. They should also possess a valid RN license. Some MSN programs expect incoming students to hold previous work experience.
Additionally, candidates may need to submit supplementary materials like transcripts, a resume, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Some schools request GRE or MAT scores, although this is less common in nursing programs.
Direct Entry Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Direct Entry Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs cater to students who hold a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field. Direct entry programs help students make the transition from non-nursing degree holders to fully credentialed PMHNP by providing them with a solid foundation in both basic patient care and psychiatric nursing. These programs include a mix of nursing theory, hands-on simulations, and clinical rotations in a real health care setting.
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No 1 In Master Of Science In Nursing Graduates In The Us
Care for the mental and emotional well-being of patients across the life span with an MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from Walden. Youll be taught by practicing PMHNPs as you gain the training and expertise to meet a critical need in todays society.
A pioneer in this specialization, Walden offers one of the first fully online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in the nation.2 An MSN-PMHNP program prepares nurses to deliver a full spectrum of care to patients with psychiatric disorders, organic brain disorders, and substance abuse issues.
As a graduate of this CCNE-accredited program, youll be prepared with the educational requirements to sit for the national psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification exam.
Questions About Psychiatric Np Programs
Licensed psychiatric NPs must hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing. Many universities offer MSN programs with a concentration in psychiatric mental health. Some students earn an associate degree in nursing instead of a BSN and bypass a bachelor’s degree by enrolling in an RN-to-MSN program.
Accreditation guarantees that students receive a quality education. Accreditation agencies review higher education institutions and academic programs to ensure that those programs uphold quality standards. Aspiring nurses need accredited degrees to obtain licensure. Two of the most well-known nursing accreditation agencies include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing .
NPs play many important roles in the healthcare industry. They meet with, assess, and diagnose patients, and may prescribe medication or other treatments. In some states, NPs need to enter into supervisory or collaborative agreements with physicians, but many states allow NPs to work completely autonomously.
Psychiatric NPs provide patients with mental health care. They counsel individuals dealing with issues of anxiety, depression, and other psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorders. PMHNPs can also offer treatment like medication or therapy.
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Pmhnp Salary And Job Outlook
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are one of the highest-paying nurse practitioner specialties because they are a highly-specialized field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mental Health Nurse Practitioners make a mean annual salary of $126,200 with an average hourly wage of $60.67 as of May 2021.
Although most NPs work full-time, salaries will also vary based on the type of occupation, hours, and the state and city.
Nurse Practitioners, in general, have a higher-than-average job outlook and because psychiatric nursing is a field that is still growing in interest and awareness, its reasonable to expect that wages are going to gradually climb over the coming years.
Dnp Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
A Doctor of Nursing Practice is a leadership and practice-focused terminal degree program designed for RNs and APRNs who want to enhance their expertise as clinicians and as managers of nurses and other health care professionals, with an emphasis on the organizational and systems leadership needed for health care transformation.
DNP PMHNP curriculum builds on a students knowledge of mental illness and psychiatric disorders, as well as their ability to monitor patients with real-time data collection, diagnostics, and therapeutics. While some DNP PMHNP programs are designed to be completed in as little as 27 months, most take 36 to 48 months to complete.
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What Is A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is in charge of assessing patients’ mental health statuses by reviewing their pertinent medical history, conducting complete psychiatric examinations, and identifying risk factors that may impair mental health. They also can interpret tests ordered by psychologists or psychiatrists.
These nurse practitioners provide support to families of patients and the mental health community, too. Often mental illness affects more than just the patient. Mental health professionals such as a PMNHP can offer therapy and treatment to the family as a group.
They may also work with patients that have behavioral problems, including substance abuse. Mental health care is an intricate part of substance abuse recovery.
PMHNPs can have their own private practices, but many work in psychiatric hospitals or dedicated mental health units. They treat patients of all ages, but can specialize in pediatric or geriatric care, for example.
How To Become A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
First, you must become a registered nurse with either a two or four-year degree. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN exam and gain some experience, you can apply to a graduate nursing program. To meet the requirements for certification, you will need to complete clinical hours in that field and additional training in mental health.
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Hybrid Program For Adult Learners
The PMHNP program is a hybrid program. Three courses Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment are taught face-to-face. The rest of the classes are primarily taught online, with some required face-to-face sessions.
Face-to-face sessions are always on Wednesdays to facilitate planning work schedules. Courses are scheduled at varying times, which may include daytime and/or evening hours.
Overview Of The Online Msn In Psychiatric Mental Health Program
Serve your patients physically and spiritually.
Expand your nursing knowledge and deepen your impact on patients. The Master of Science in Primary Care Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization prepares you to advance your career by serving patients with diverse needs and backgrounds. IWUs faith-integrated approach enables you to serve patients both spiritually and physically.
When you enroll in the PMHNP program, you get the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in nursing. All our faculty are nationally certified NPs and have years of experience in the field. Theyll make sure youre prepared though both online courses and onsite residency experiences. Our program provides:
- Primarily online coursework
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How To Pick The Right Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner School For You
Its hard to know what the perfect school is for what youre looking for. While there are only a handful of institutions that offer a psychiatric nurse practitioner program, narrowing it down further will likely be based on different factors, including:
- Cost. Is the school within an affordable range? Will you have to move to attend school, and how expensive is the new city going to be? Do they offer financial aid?
- Location. Commuting to and from facilities where you get real-world experience is common for psychiatric NPs. This means you might have to move to a new area for school or work with the school to find clinical sites near your home and complete your coursework online.
- Program length. Depending on the program you study toward, you may have to plan to be in school for 2-4 years, and possibly even longer if youre working full-time and studying part-time. If you have to continue to work while youre in school, youll also want to verify that the program can be completed while you work.
- Accreditation. Accreditation is always something important to keep in mind before selecting any school or programnot only does it ensure that your school will properly prepare you for your certifying exams, but if you plan on applying for federal loans, you may get turned down if your school is not accredited.
Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty:
- Advances and transforms psychiatric nursing care through education and research
- Empowers students, clinicians and our communities to provide public service with a focus on promoting diversity and health equity and
- Advocates for advanced practice psychiatric nursing leadership at local, national and global levels.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners provide a full range of primary mental health care services, including biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis of patients with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Treatment modalities include both medication and psychotherapeutic management. PMHNPs work in a variety of settings, including inpatient, emergency and community-based mental health services. Our students are provided the opportunity to complete clinical placements across the Bay Area, which have included: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, the VA, San Francisco Department of Public Health, Sutter Health, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and Marin County Mental Health Services.
This specialty prepares students to respond to the mental health needs of persons across the lifespan. In addition to foundational coursework for all advanced practice roles, PMHNP coursework includes psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities.
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What Does A Pmhnp Do
Some of the duties that a PMHNP could take on include:
- Create healthcare plans, based on outpatient or home-based care for acute or chronic mental health care conditions
- Provide consultations
- Prescribe medications per their state laws
- Prescribe and offer various treatments, such as psychotherapy, medication therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.
- Work alongside doctors for referrals and to provide patient care
- Participate and/or initiate research
- Education on mental health disorders
- Contribute to policy development, quality improvement, practice evaluation, and healthcare reform
What Can I Do With This Degree
Completion of the track will allow students to take the certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner . PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurse specialists who assess and diagnose mental health conditions, and who offer treatment by means of psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. PMHNPs work in clinical settings that include private, state or Veterans Administration in-patient or outpatient psychiatric facilities, private psychiatric practices, and community mental health centers. PMHMPs also provide services in settings such as correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools. These practitioners are in high demand, and the University receives frequent inquires about graduates.
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