Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Our DNP PMHNP program features:
- Quality clinical placements preparing practice-ready graduates.
- Low student to faculty ratio.
- Curriculum that emphasizes strong life-span focus.
- 100% board certification pass rate the past 6 years.
- The majority of graduates employed by graduation.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates for advanced specialty practice with a dual emphasis on intervention through psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. PMHNP’s intervene with vulnerable populations and promote mental health across the lifespan. They work with children, adolescents, adults, and older persons in a variety of settings, including community mental health clinics, public health departments, hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics, health maintenance organizations, government facilities, schools of nursing, and independent private practice.
What If I Need A Tutor Or Help With My Writing
One-to-one tutoring and writing center support is available to online students in many graduate nursing programs, but these resources will vary depending on the school. Be sure to check with any online MSN PMHNP program you are interested in to learn more about what they offer.
NKU is known for its wraparound academic support for online students, including its online writing center, peer tutoring, and on-demand professional tutoring services.
Certification: The Pmh In Pmhnp
After students complete their psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner degree program, the next step is to become nationally certified. In most cases, professionals are not able to obtain a state license unless they receive a PMHNP certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
In order to receive the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification, or PMHNP-BC, professionals must pass a 200-question examination that takes four hours to complete. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have an active nursing license and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner masters, doctoral, or postgraduate degree.
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How Long Will It Take To Earn My Msn Pmhnp Degree Online
The answer to this question depends largely on the nursing program you choose, and the amount of time you can devote to classes. You should be able to complete your MSN PMHNP degree online in two or three years with consistent study. But if your study time is limited, or you feel most comfortable taking fewer courses over a longer period, you can also move through the coursework at your own speed.
NKU’s MSN PMHNP degree can be completed online in as little as 22 months, including all coursework and clinicals.
Can I Get Remote Access To The Library For Research

Most nursing schools with online degree programs also have good library access for online students. So yes, in most cases you should be able to do your research at the library from a distance, and use most of the same library resources that you could in person.
NKU MSN PMHNP students can do research in the library catalog online, \ or call, text, email or chat with a librarian to find an electronic version of any book, journal article or other resource they need.
“If we have trouble finding something on our topic, we can also email our librarian which is not a computer, it’s an actual person help us within the library and searching for whatever we need for our research.” , NKU MSN PMHNP online student and RN at SUN Behavioral Health in Erlanger, Kentucky
Learn more about our MSN PMHNP online program!
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Advance Your Career Into A Rewarding Np Specialty
Bridging from RN-ADN to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner represents a significant career move.
Build a strong educational and experiential foundation in holistic care, qualified to diagnose and treat common mental illnesses within their scope of practice, including anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders and more.
- Focus on mental health, including physical care
- Perform psychological consulting
- Prescribe medication and monitor its effects
- Educate patients or clients on a variety of coping skills
- Work in private practice, hospitals, community clinics, and more
- Approach patient care like a detective, using all information at your disposal to solve complex psychological issues
How can I advance my career? You can continue to learn and build skills to pursue further career opportunities. After earning your MSN you may consider earning postgraduate credentials. Herzing University offers post-masters FNP and Nursing Education programs for nurses seeking additional education for their next career move.
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.
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Learn More About The Online Msn Pmhnp Program At Nku
Our Master of Science in Nursing Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program at Northern Kentucky University covers the full scope of practice, integrating the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders for patients across the life span. You will learn to treat individuals and families with acute or chronic psychiatric needs using comprehensive assessment, psycho-social intervention, and prescription medications.
Mental health nursing courses synthesize neuroscientific principles, neurophysiological theory, and a broad range of therapeutic methods including how to incorporate variables of lifestyle, culture, religion, socio-economics, and genetics into risk assessments. Curriculum emphasizes advanced psychopharmacology and aligns with NKU’s strategic mission to address a regional opioid issue and our overall commitment to be agents of change by promoting population health.
Core MSN coursework includes two DNP-level courses and provides in-depth study of fundamentals of theory and research for evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, economics, and the analysis and application of health data in advanced nursing practice.
Once you graduate, you will be eligible to take the ANCC NCC Psychiatric Mental Health NP certification examination. Our nurses have an ANCC three-year pass rate of 88.94%.
In this online MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, you will:
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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Choosing A School Online For Your Pmhnp Program
When thinking about applying for a school or program online, there are some factors you may wish to consider such as accreditation, your own goals, availability and flexibility, admissions requirements, curriculum and clinical hour experience. Some programs that are online may mirror their on-campus counterparts, so many of these factors may remain the same.
Will An Online Pmhnp Program Help Me Get A Job
While there is no guarantee that an online PMHNP program will help you get a job, accredited programs may help prepare you for state licensure and national certification. License and certification may be required for practice in your state. Be sure to check with your states board of nursing for more information.
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What Degree Do You Need To Become A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Licensed psychiatric NPs must hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing or higher. 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.
How Much Time Will I Need To Study Each Week

Some classes require more effort than others, but a good rule of thumb is to set aside 4-5 hours of study time each week for every credit hour your online course is worth. That means 12-15 hours per week for standard 3-hour MSN PMHNP courses.
This rule is just a helpful guideline to get you started. You may find you need less time to cover lectures, readings and course assignments week to week, or a little bit more.
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Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Submit your information to access a comprehensive digital program guide. One of our dedicated admissions counselors will contact you shortly to discuss next-steps.
- What Wilkes stands for
At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.
Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you’re looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That’s why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.
What Will You Learn In Our Postgraduate Certificate Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Like other online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs, our certificate can provide you with advanced, doctoral-level coursework and training. You can learn about nursing-oriented mental health approaches to neurological conditions and mental disorders. Your courses will emphasize treatment and practical application of psychiatric theory.
Our program differs from others because we are committed to biblical principles. Our program can prepare you to be a nurse practitioner who practices Christian ethical standards when providing mental health services to patients across the lifespan.
Your training will culminate in a comprehensive exam that can ensure you are prepared to provide mental health support in the field of nursing. This exam can also determine if you are equipped to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.
Please note: In support of students and in compliance with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education requirements, Liberty University School of Nursing DNP and APRN Certificate programs work with students to provide precepted practicum placements. During this time of COVID 19, many hospitals and clinics have closed their sites to nurse practitioner and DNP students. This may lead to sites being unavailable to students for a time. This inability to place students in practicum sites may delay enrollment in practicum courses and ultimately graduation.
Required Courses
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What Kinds Of Courses Will I Take For An Online Msn Pmhnp Degree
MSN PMHNP coursework focuses on the core skills and knowledge that RNs working with psychiatric and mental health patients need to provide ethical care and effective treatment. You will learn about patient evaluation and care planning, strategic use of medication and interventional therapies, and the role research can play in PMHNP practice. You will also learn the legal and professional standards of this dynamic career field.
Students in NKU’s online MSN PMHNP program take a combination of 18 core and concentration courses, including:
- Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
- Human Pathophysiology
- Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Policy and Economics in Population Health
- Psych-Mental Health NP Capstone
Visit the courses section of the program website to learn more.
To be honest, I didn’t really know a lot about how much research hospitals do to find the best practice, and when I was a nurse, a lot of that terminology just kind of flew right past me it’s eye-opening to be learning about research and how it to every hospital and every nurse practitioner or provider.
, NKU MSN PMHNP online student and RN at SUN Behavioral Health in Erlanger, Kentucky
No 1 In Master Of Science In Nursing Graduates In The Us
Care for the mental and emotional well-being of patients of all ages with an MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from Walden. Play a bigger role in raising awareness of societal issues around mental illness and become a catalyst for social change.
A pioneer in this specialization, Walden offers one of the first online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in the country.2 Online PMHNP-MSN programs academically prepare 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 online psychiatric nurse practitioner MSN program, youll be academically prepared to sit for the national psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification exam.
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the PMHNP program, the students will:
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
The regulation requires the institutions to disclose to prospective and current students a list of all States for which institutions curriculum meets out of State educational requirements for professional licensure or certification and a list of States for which the institutions curriculum does not meet, or for which the institution has not made a determination of, whether the curriculum meets educational requirements. In compliance with the above stated regulation, Pace University has determined the PMHNP curriculum meets the professional licensure or certification requirement for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Pace University has made no determination of other states eligibility at this time. As such, we only accept applications from students who are residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Additional information regarding state regulations.
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Career Guide: Online Pmhnp Programs
If you have a bachelors degree in nursing and are currently working as a registered nurse, but want to advance your career into a new focus or direction, a masters in science nursing degree with a concentration on mental health may be a great choice.
Even if you already have a masters in the medical and healthcare profession, online PMHNP programs can help advance your knowledge and bring outstanding rewards to your career.
Do Online Degree Programs Charge Out

At most schools, all students in the online MSN PMHNP degree program pay the same tuition rate, regardless of where they live and study. While a handful of online nursing programs do charge higher tuition rates for out-of-state students, you’ll find this is the exception, not the rule.
All online NKU psych mental health NP students pay the same tuition rate.
Learn more about our MSN PMHNP online program!
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What If I Get Too Busy And Need To Take A Break From Classes
With online study, it’s much easier to take time off when you need a break. Unlike on-campus courses that require attendance throughout a 16-week semester, online courses average 7 weeks in length, so it’s easier to skip a term if you have to without falling behind.
Online courses also run year round at most schools, so no matter what time of year you take a break, there are plenty of opportunities to jump back into courses whenever you’re ready.
Is Demand For Pmhnps Strong In Rural Areas
Yes. One in four nurse practitioners now works in a rural setting, and rural populations have a critical need for psychiatric and mental health services. Many small towns and remote areas do not have adequate psychiatrist or physician coverage, and since most NPs specialize in primary care, the demand for rural PMHNPs is usually much greater than the supply.
It’s not that uncommon for rural PMHNPs to be one of the few clinician groups in a county or community with the specialized training required to work with patients experiencing anxiety, depression, addiction, dementia, severe mental disorders or other forms of psychiatric and mental illness. PMHNPs can also work in a variety of rural healthcare settings, including critical access hospitals and VA centers, satellite clinics and treatment facilities, or even a telemedicine practice, seeing patients via video conference. Many rural PMHNPs also find they can make a good living working short-term locum tenens assignments in different cities or regions of their state, rather than taking on a permanent position.
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University Of California San Francisco
Tuition: $60,482 per year in-state, $72,727 per year non-resident
While the focus of the psychiatric nurse practitioner program at UCSF is on all demographics, students have the option to complete their residency while focusing on a specific age group. This program is ideal for nurses who want to work exclusively with adults or children.
Practice A True Profession Of The Heart As A Pmhnp
Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with some level of mental illness, from mild conditions to severe disorders. Too often mental health goes undiagnosed and untreated due to a lack of awareness or understanding of mental illness in health and well-being.
Become a difference maker in the lives of patients suffering with mental illness across the lifespan as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner .
Graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration from Herzing University and youll be qualified for the Board Certified PMHNP exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center .
- Learn online in Herzings Everywhere Classroom: at your pace, on your schedule
- Full-time and part-time options for enrollment, with dedicated study in telehealth and remote patient care services
- Clinical experience across the lifespan: find your professional emphasis with a clinical experience featuring pediatric care, adult care and geriatric care. Every experience counts.
- Prepare to sit for ANCC certification and become a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner upon successful completion
- Additional post-masters certificate nursing programs to continue building a truly unique career path
This program is designed for Registered Nurses who currently hold an associate degree in nursing . Our 24-month MSN-PMHNP program is built for current BSN nurses.
Classes Start September 7th
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