How To Advance/career Pathway
If you have been practicing as a family NP and want to become a PMHNP, there are post-masterâs nursing programs that are either online or in person.
To become certified, you must take the exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification from the ANCC. You must also complete 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours related to the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner role, three graduate courses that include health promotion and pharmacology, and have clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
Those interested in pediatric mental health can pursue additional training as a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist . You must be an advanced practice nurse certified in your specialty area and have 2,000 clinical hours in pediatric developmental, behavioral, and mental health.
Pediatric Mental Health Specialist Salary
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the Nurse Practitioner shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
- National average per year: $113,930*
- National average per hour: $54.78*
The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist exam validates the added knowledge, skills, and expertise of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in the early identification, intervention, and collaboration of care for children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health concerns.
PMHS certification does not replace primary APRN certification required for licensure.
Why Choose Libertys Online Postgraduate Certificate In Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
If you are looking at 100% online post-masters PMHNP programs, you can pursue advanced, postgraduate training without visiting campus with Liberty Universitys program. Our post-graduate certificate in mental health nurse practitioner offers flexible courses so you can complete your certificate while maintaining your work and family commitments.
As you are considering online PMHNP certificate programs, you may be wondering what sets Liberty apart from other schools. As a Christian university, our mission is Training Champions for Christ.
We strive to fulfill this mission by equipping nursing professionals with the mental health support skills they need to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients. All of our online content is created with a Christian worldview in mind. We want to equip you with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to mental health nursing practice, grounded in biblical principles.
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About The Aprn Certificate Programs
The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certificate programs are designed for those nurses who have a masters in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice and wish to complete the course work necessary to sit for national certification as an APRN. Students choose a certificate track as a 1) Family Nurse Practitioner, 2) Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 3) Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 4) Family Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or 5) Adult Gerontology – Clinical Nurse Specialist. Students in the APRN Certificate Programs will complete the didactic and clinical hours necessary to take the national exam in their specialty area. They will not, however, earn a second graduate degree.
Advanced Practice Nursing : Visit Advance Practice Nursing to learn about APN programs.
What Are The Roles And Duties Of A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
PMHNPs work with a broad spectrum of patients some work with children, some with adults, and some with both, or with families. Responsibilities include:
- Taking a medical and psychiatric history
- Interviewing patients about symptoms
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Why Are Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners In Demand
There are several factors at play, including the passing of the Affordable Care Act, which makes mental health an essential service. In addition, mainstream media is raising awareness and helping to eradicate the stigma atta, ched to mental health problems, so more people are seeking this important health care.
Child And Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program is designed for those nurses who hold the Master of Science in Nursing degree and are seeking preparation for the role of the pediatric nurse practitioner. Upon completion of the certificate program, students are eligible to sit for the pediatric nurse practitioner certification examination.
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Consider Board Certification In Child And Adolescent Psychiatry
To further advance in pediatric psychiatry, individuals can earn voluntary certification in their specialty by passing the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry exam, which is administered by the ABPN. Before taking the exam, applicants need a letter from their psychiatry training director certifying competencies and pointing out any areas still in need of completion.
To summarize, aspiring pediatric psychiatrists need to complete a Doctor of Medicine program as well as a psychiatry internship and residency. Licensure and board certification is also required.
Family Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The Post MSN Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program is designed to prepare certified non-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners with competencies required to sit for national certification as a Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The 26 credit hour certificate is built upon a core of advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology that includes the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner courses with an accumulation of 600 supervised practice hours.
Those completing the post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate are eligible to sit for certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner .
Courses are web-based and include four intensive sessions during the semester.
For more information call 330-972-7555
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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.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Eligibility Requirements
There are many steps to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Prior education, certification and clinical practice are among the requirements for being accepted into a nurse practitioner program. Here is a step-by-step path you can take to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Masters. Ranked in 2021.
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Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
- Masters degree or higher from a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner program
- 500 clinical hours of supervised direct care is required in primary care pediatrics
- Three graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
Fees: The Acute Care CPNP® Exam is $385, which includes a $130 non refundable registration fee.Renewal: To maintain your status, you will need to participate in the PNCBs recertification program between November 1 and January 31. Recertification ensures that youre staying current in your field.
Information on the PNCB certification for primary care certified pediatric nurse practitioner was retrieved as of October 2021. For the most up-to-date information, refer to PNCBs website.
What Is A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide primary and specialty care to children from infancy through young adulthood. These nurses are crucial members of the healthcare team and generally work alongside pediatricians, although some work independently in their own private practices. As nurses, PNPs tend to take a more holistic approach to medicine than their physician counterparts. While gathering information about a patient’s physical symptoms is crucial to providing effective patient care, understanding environmental and psychosocial factors are seen as equally important for PNPs. Although most PNPs work in primary care, many PNPs find themselves working in pediatric subspecialties like neurology, psychiatry/mental health, oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and more.
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Earn A Medical Degree
Medical school usually consists of a 4-year program. The first two years typically involve classroom and laboratory instruction, covering topics such as anatomy, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, pharmacology, and biochemistry. There are also courses that can aid future pediatric psychiatrists, such as pediatric medicine, family history, genetics, and human behavior. The final two years of medical school are dedicated to supervised clinical experience.
Students might also consider a combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Many medical schools offer M.D./Ph.D. programs, which last between 6 to 7 years. In that time, medical students can focus on a specialty through research and clinical courses. Clinical and research opportunities provide the chance to witness assessment and treatment in the field, as well as to become aware of cutting-edge research.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Salary
There is little credible information on the salary for pediatric primary care nurse practitioners, as it is a niche off of nurse practitioner careers. As such, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurse practitioners earn a mean salary of $111,680. These rates may change depending on industry, state, and earned certifications.
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Should I Become A Psychiatric
A career as a PMHNP can be both fulfilling and rewarding for anyone interested in improving the mental health and psychiatric well-being of patients and communities. Today, many PMHNPs and aspiring mental health care professionals are passionate about reducing the lingering stigma around mental illness, closing the access gap for mental health services, and integrating mental health care further into the primary care setting.
Working as a PMHNP may help these professionals actively engage with their passions and contribute to making these long-term goals a reality. If improving mental health outcomes and access to services are causes you care about, becoming a PMHNP might be a fulfilling path for you.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 25 adults experience serious mental illness . But all too often, access is limited for the communities most in need of mental health services. Psychiatric nurses are uniquely poised to fill in these gaps, helping to increase equitable access to mental health care and providing much-needed services. The employment outlook for the field matches the growing demand. According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the national supply of psychiatric nurse practitioners is projected to grow by 6,690 between 2016 and 2030 thats an estimated growth rate of 18 percent.
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Education And Certification Requirements
Education for a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner includes a masters in nursing with specialized study in mental health. Completing a PMHNP program prepares students for the national certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center .
For board certification by the ANCC, candidates are evaluated in comprehensive areas of expertise. The exam components include practice, diagnostic and treatment skills, as well as scientific and legal analysis. These are some examples of the range of competencies covered in the testing:
- Neurological development, anatomy, and physiology
- Clinical screening and risk assessment
- Treatments and pharmaceuticals
- Patient rights and standards of care
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Adult/gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The Post-MSN certificate program is designed to prepare Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialists who are seeking preparation in the role of nurse practitioner as providers of primary health care to adults and older adults. Upon completion of the 18 credit program, the student is eligible to sit for Nurse Practitioner certification examination.
Education And Degree Program Options
To become a PNP, a Registered Nurse must first complete a masters, post-masters, or doctoral degree, often specific to the pediatric patient population. All programs include a combination of classroom and clinical training. Possible degrees include:
- Master of Science in Nursing with a major, track, specialty, or concentration as a pediatric nurse practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate
- Doctor of Nursing Practice with a specialty as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Some programs offer a track in primary care some offer a track in acute care , while others offer a dual-track program. In addition, some programs also offer a specialty focus, such as Pulmonary Specialist or Specialist in Developmental Disabilities.
Classes vary by program, but typical courses would include:
- Assessment
- Child growth and development
- Pharmacology
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Pmhnp Certification And Licensure
National certification is a necessary part of being licensed or recognized by state Boards of Nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse serving the psychiatric mental health patient population. Each state has its own licensing laws and requirements and also defines the scope of practice for nurse practitioners.
Certification offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center results in the designation credential PMHNP-BC. Two exam options are available:
- Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner requires masters, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner program
- Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner requires masters, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from a family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner program
The educational program must have accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission . The program must also have included all of the following:
- A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours
- Three separate courses in advanced physical/health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology
- Content in promoting health and preventing disease and in differential diagnosis and disease management
- Clinical training in at least two modalities of psychotherapeutic treatment
Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam Overview
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How many hours is the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam?
The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam is 2.5 hours.
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How many questions is the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam?
The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam is 150 questions.
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What topics are covered on the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Exam?
Topics include: Developmental, Behavioral and Mental Health Promotion – 25%, Evaluation – 23%, Diagnosis Decision Making – 23%, Management – 23%, Professional Role – 5%
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Icular Needs For The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
As the country is facing a crisis in mental health, there is also an alarming shortage of psychiatric providers. This means many people are not getting needed help, leading to a multitude of implications for individuals, families and communities. The rise of the role of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner may help to fill the gap.
Of the approximately 290,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, less than two percent are certified in psychiatric/mental healthfamily. The needs far exceed the resources, which is a compelling answer to the question, why become a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Recent studies show a decrease in the number of practicing psychiatrists in recent years, while needs have also steadily increased. A summary of research includes these findings:
- 77% of counties in the U.S. report detrimental shortages of mental health providers.
- 55% of counties have no psychiatrists actively practicing.
- 43 states are vulnerable to the significant effects caused by a lack of providers.
- There is an expected shortage of 1225% of needed psychiatrists by the year 2025.
- The needs for child and adolescent psychiatric services are particularly severe.
How To Become A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
If you’re ready and willing to walk the long path toward becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, you’ll need an active RN license and a master’s , post-master’s , or doctoral nursing degree which places an emphasis on the pediatric patient population. These can take anywhere from two to four years to complete beyond a bachelor’s degree in nursing . After completing your graduate or post-graduate degree program, you can then go on the gain your national PNP certification credential.
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Child And Adolescent Health Nurse Acute Care Certificate
The Post-MSN Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program is designed for those nurses who hold the Master of Science in Nursing degree and are seeking preparation for the role of the pediatric nurse practitioner. Upon completion of the 17 credit hour program, the students are eligible to sit for the pediatric nurse practitioner certification examination.