Eye On The Curriculum
The curriculum in PMHNP programs is designed to give nurses the high-level clinical skills necessary to provide specialized care to patients. These programs include coursework that teaching students to develop patient care plans, promote mental health and education, and perform psychotherapy, crisis interventions, and consultations. In addition, these programs provide in-depth information about psychiatric nursing models, pharmacotherapies, and neuroscience. The following are examples of some of the classes involved in most programs.
Advanced pharmacotherapeutics
Students learn about the medications used to treat chronic and acute health issues and gain an understanding of when these drugs should be used. The class also teaches students how to understand the side effects of different medications and monitor the way patients respond to treatments.
Health assessment
Health assessment classes build on nurses former education in order to help them understand how assessments are conducted in a mental health context. Students also learn different evidenced-based assessment principles.
Mental health care for individuals and groups
This course trains students to care for people with mental health challenges in different age groups. The curriculum covers care from assessment to diagnosis to pharmacological interventions.
Neuroscience for mental health practitioners
Health care law and policy
Nursing theory
Nursing leadership
Population-based nursing
Nursing ethics
Best 24 Nurse Practitioner Programs In 2021
The nurse practitioner career has quickly become one of the most popular and high-paying positions in the nursing field over the last several years. According to recent reports, the number of practitioners has doubled over the previous four years to more than 200,000 licensed practitioners, with further increases likely in the future the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a growth of 34 percent by 2022.
Furthermore, the pay of the average nurse practitioner is $96,988 with a high salary of about $122,000 and a low income of $78,000. So even practitioners in low-cost hospitals will still make a high-quality wage. This type of career is an excellent choice for those who want to be a nurse but who want to earn great money and settle into a long-lasting job. And nurse practitioner programs can help a person achieve that goal.
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University of Connecticut | Mansfield, Connecticut |
A typical education program for a nurse practitioner includes Associate degrees or Bachelor degrees followed up by a Masters degree at an accredited university. Practitioners utilize hands-on courses and on-site clinical, as well as some online work, to master the skills necessary for this career. And they must get continuing education every five years to maintain their certification and licensing. Most hospitals will likely pay their practitioners training fees for this type of continuing education.
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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.
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Does Vanderbilt Offer A Psychiatric
Our specialty prepares graduates to diagnose and treat common psychiatric disorders , as well as perform screening historical and physical exams to diagnose/identify major medical problems. However, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner s are not prepared to treat and prescribe for primary care problems and therefore refer these patients for treatment.
For students who want to treat primary care problems, a post-masters degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty can be completed over another year of approximately 21 credit hours. We have seen increasing enrollment of Family Nurse Practitioners who are returning for a post-masters degree in PMHNP. This option particularly appeals to those who have worked in Community Mental Health Centers for their prescriptive role and have recognized their limited knowledge/preparation to work with this psychiatric population.
List Of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

All Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ACEN
- Online MSN Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NPCCNE
- Post Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner CertificateCCNE
- Master’s Entry Psychiatric Mental Health NursingCCNE
- Online Post Master’s Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionersCCNE
- MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Graduate Entry Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health NursingACEN
- MSN Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health NursingACEN
- Online Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ACEN
- Master’s Entry Psychiatric Mental HealthCCNE
- MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner AdultCCNE
- Online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner FamilyCCNE
- Online MSN Adult Psychiatric/Mental HealthCCNE
- Online Nurse Practitioner Track: Adult Psychiatric/Mental HealthACEN
- Online Post Master’s Certificate in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Online Post-Master Certificate in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerACEN
- MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Online DNP Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Master of Science in NursingACEN
- Master of Science in NursingACEN
- Online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
- Post-MSN CertificateACEN
- MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NPCCNE
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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.
Accreditation For Pmhnp Programs
Accreditation for nursing programs in the United States falls to the recognition of Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . This organization accredits bachelor and graduate nursing programs across the country. For psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner programs, this is no different. PMHNP programs online may be offered as a masters or doctoral degree and be offered by a nursing school. Be sure to check with your preferred university for more on accreditation.
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Pros And Cons Of Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs
Recently, a ThriveAP reader posted a question on the message board inquiring about my experience in a nurse practitioner bridge program. She noted that, while I have several articles on the topic of programs for students without a background in healthcare, I hadnt shared much about my personal experience. Guilty as charged. So, today Ive decided to pull together my thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of accelerated programs for NPs, based on my own experiences.
In case you missed the more detailed background about how I ended up in an accelerated NP program, you can read more about it here. As an accelerated, or bridge nurse practitioner, student, my experience in school was much different than that of my colleagues who attended traditional nurse practitioner programs. I did not have a background in healthcare, and was not a nurse when I entered the program. This unique experience has its own set of ups and downs, highs and lows. Here are the pros and cons of accelerated nurse practitioner programs based on my experience:
Pros
1. Expedited Education
I attended Vanderbilt Universitys accelerated NP program. And, as a result, I became a nurse practitioner quickly. Very quickly. In just two short years, I added RN and MSN degrees to my bachelors degree. Without the schools expedited format for bridge students, my journey to becoming a nurse practitioner would have been significantly longer.
Cons
1. RN Year Exasperation
3. Post-Grad Learning Curve
Can I Complete An Online Pmhnp Program Without A Nursing Degree
You may not be able to complete an online PMHNP program without a nursing degree. Admission requirements may require an RN license, and in order to pursue that license, you must have completed at least an approved nursing program. Be sure to check with your preferred university and states board of nursing for more information.
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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
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.
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Making The Final Call On Earning Your Pmhnp Degree
If you are a registered nurse that is looking for a career field that blends the art of nursing with the intriguing field of mental health, PMHNP programs are probably right for you. Nursing is an incredibly diverse field that touches on the importance of personal care and attention for people that are suffering from a wide range of issues.
In psychological fields and mental health, professionals must have a greater understanding of how illnesses and disorders affect their clients, and have a negative impact on their lives. Through diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, PMHNPs can be the leading source of support for people being cared for due to their own mental health. If you are wondering where to turn now that you have found a path that is right for you, there are several universities open and ready for your application.
When you have to urge to improve your standing in the field of nursing and want to take the initiative to work towards a more effective career, take action. Nothing should stand in the way of you and a great education that can provide for a lifetime.
Pmhnp Nurse Practitioner Programs

Nurse practitioners are some of the most popular nurses for both patients and professionals alike. Patients rely on these nurses to provide effective and trustworthy care outside of a doctor’s supervision.
PHHNP’s are responsible for people of all ages – providing care in the event of illness and injury. View all Nurse Practitioner Programs for more information.
Consider an Online Program Currently Accepting Applicants
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Nurse practitioners are some of the most popular nurses for both patients and professionals alike. Patients rely on these nurses to provide effective and trustworthy care outside of a doctors supervision.
PHHNPs are responsible for people of all ages providing care in the event of illness and injury. View all Nurse Practitioner Programs for more information. The field of nursing is one that provides an irreplaceable service to its patients. In a time of need, patients seek out someone to listen to their ailments and provide a helping hand. In order to truly help a patient, a nurse must assist doctors in finding an appropriate treatment and implementing it successfully.
For registered nurses at the bachelors level, PMHNP degree programs are available beginning at the masters level. The programs available provide a MSN that focuses specifically on psychiatry and mental health as a specialty.
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The University Of California San Francisco
The University of California San Francisco offers students a PMHNP degree program that is billed at a rate of $11,502 in tuition per year. This figure applies to students that are attending classes at a full-time rate. There are several fees associated with being a part of this program, including an annual student services fee of $1,128, graduate and association fees under $200 per year, student health insurance fees of $5,029 per year, and community centers facilities fees of $149 per year.
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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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.
Common Pmhnp Nurse Practitioner Degree Courses
PMHNP degree programs are responsible for integrating both common nursing courses as well as psychiatric/mental health courses within the curriculum. Some of the advanced concepts in nursing, such as pharmaceutical interventions and treatment approaches for people from all age groups may be defined within these programs, as well as diagnostic and treatment methods for minor to serious mental health issues.
During your degree program, you may also be responsible for applying some of the knowledge gained through your curriculum to real-world instances or case studies. The experience that you can gain through your schooling can be a huge part of your success once working in the field.
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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs: Best Programs In 2022
Hey Everyone!
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs.
This guide will explore all the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs that Nurses can pursue to obtain degrees suitable for their advanced roles.
Well also discuss the best institutions that offer these programs.
After reading this guide, you should be well informed about the PNP Programs available to you to begin working on taking and completing a suitable degree program.
In summary, this guide will cover:
So, lets dive straight in!
Do I Have To Be A Nurse To Enter The Specialty
No. You can enter this specialty as a BNS or MSN or if you have a bachelors degree or higher in a field other than nursing. If you have a bachelors degree or higher in a field other than nursing, you can complete a one year full-time baccalaureate equivalent program , progress to and then progress to the Psychiatric-Mental Health specialty. It is ideal for individuals with undergraduate degrees in psychology, counseling, social work, or health education to pursue an advanced practice nursing role and certification.
If you have a BSN or MSN, you enter directly into the specialty course work. All students, regardless of entry type, graduate with a MSN degree or post-masters certificate.
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I Have An Msn Degree Does The School Have A Post
Yes. An applicant may apply to the post-masters option only or as part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. We recommend you consider the DNP with a post-masters plan of study. The post-masters plan of study is located under Curriculum Plans. A gap analysis to determine if courses can be waived will be completed after a letter of admission is offered. Additionally, post-masters students attend courses in a hybrid learning format which requires travel to campus for face-to-face classes ten times during the academic year .
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Programs And Requirements

There is growing demand for mental health services in the U.S. According to a national survey on drug use and health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 43.4 million adults aged 18 or older were living with a mental illness in 2015. That number represents nearly 18 percent of all adults in the country. The report further found that 9.8 million adults were living with a serious mental illness during the same period.
In line with this growing need, the country is facing an escalating shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health providers, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
We face a broad range of mental health issues, including the acute problems of opioid addiction and increasing rates of depression and suicide, Dr. Darrell Kirch, a psychiatrist and AAMC president and CEO told the AAMC. I think one of the great tragedies is that some of the most seriously mentally ill individuals are homeless or are caught in a revolving door between prison and the street.
As an increasing number of Americans from all backgrounds seek mental health services, they need qualified providers who are capable of delivering the specialized type of care to address these challenges.To ensure that people in the U.S. are able to access the services they need to safeguard their mental and emotional well-being, this shortage of qualified professionals must be addressed.
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