For Universities For Employers About

Advanced Practice Nursing

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Most programs focus on a holistic approach that combines biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural elements. Many programs also follow a lifespan approach, requiring students to gain skills in working with patients of all ages. Image from Unsplash

Courtney Eiland September 26, 2022

You must earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. You'll study nursing across medical disciplines with a focus on mental health.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

Article continues here

Behavioral health issues, substance abuse, and public health emergencies (e.g., the opioid crisis) pose serious challenges to our healthcare system and society at large. Exacerbating this problem is a shortage of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), contributing to delays in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses or psychiatric disorders.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) indicates that out of more than 355,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the United States, only 4.7 percent have psychiatric or mental health certification. (For comparison sake: family nurse practitioners (FNP) make up 70 percent of NPs, adult nurse practitioners (ANP) 11 percent, and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNP) in primary care 7 percent). This shortage of nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatric-mental health creates a void in communities that rely on inpatient and outpatient care.

For example, assertive community treatment (ACT), an evidence-based practice, treats patients in their homes or communities rather than admitting them to mental health facilities or overcrowded hospitals. For decades, ACT teams have provided essential services by conducting home visits, taking patients to medical appointments, finding housing, and several additional initiatives. With the onset of the pandemic, the need for these services grew in demand and cost. In Maine, one psychiatric nurse practitioner supported 100 patients in a community served by ACT. The demand for more PMHNPs is clear.

So what exactly does this profession entail and how can you gain the critical knowledge and competencies to excel in this discipline? This article discusses what you can expect from a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner curriculum and answers the following questions:

What is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?
How can I become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?
What will I learn in a PMHNP MSN program?
What is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing (PMHNP MSN)?
How long does it take to earn a PMHNP MSN degree?
What are the PMHNP MSN program admissions criteria/prerequisites?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner curriculum

The nursing field continues to expand with varied specializations that require unique skills. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs prepare nurses for a career with extensive responsibilities.

Curricula in this discipline vary by PMHNP program. Most programs focus on a holistic approach that combines biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural elements. Many programs also follow a lifespan approach, requiring students to gain skills in working with patients of all ages. In addition, hands-on clinical experience supervised by an experienced professional (or preceptor) allows students to apply their knowledge through a field practicum.

The PMHNP MSN program at Yale University—which will launch its first online class in 2023—offers the following courses:

Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced Pathophysiology
Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan
Individual Psychotherapy
Advanced Pharmacology
Statistics and Research for Evidence-based Practice Nursing
Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Transitions to Professional Practice
Promoting Health in the Community
Clinical Outcome Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Group Psychotherapy
Applied Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Family Psychotherapy

What is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are highly qualified and trained advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide behavioral healthcare to individuals, families, groups, and communities. They also work to fight mental health stigma by educating patients, peers, and the community.

PMHNPs work in a variety of settings, including:

Community mental health centers
Correctional facilities
Domestic violence shelters
Private psychiatric practices
Schools
Substance abuse facilities
Veterans Administration psychiatric facilities

While some duties may overlap among social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and PMHNPs, PMNHPs are qualified to handle unique responsibilities as advanced practice nurses. State regulations determine the level of autonomy at which PMHNPs can function; in many states, they can evaluate patients, prescribe medications, and initiate treatment without the supervision or approval of an MD. Additional functions include:

Assisting patients with achieving their recovery goals
Conducting intake screening, evaluations, and coordinating care
Deploying crisis intervention or stabilization methods
Engaging in psychiatric rehabilitation and intervention, including integrative therapy interventions
Providing diagnoses, treatment, and management of acute or chronic illnesses
Providing preventative care
Providing psychotherapy skills across the lifespan (from adolescents to seniors)

A career as a PMHNP requires years of education, experience, licensures, and certifications. Pay is commensurate with the mandatory level of training. The average base salary is $140,200 annually for PMHNP professionals in the United States. Additional factors, such as location, can boost your earnings. For example, a PMHNP in New York City (considered one of the highest-paying cities in this field) can net an annual base salary of $162,475.

How to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

Becoming a certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner requires six steps, according to Indeed.com:

Become a registered nurse (RN)
Complete two years of full-time clinical practice as an RN
Earn your master's or doctoral degree
Reach a minimum of 2,000 clinical practice hours and 30 hours of continuing education related to psychiatric-mental health
Apply to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Successfully pass the board certification exam

Once you've earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), associate degree in nursing (ADN), or hospital-based nursing diploma, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). While a BSN from an accredited institution is not the only qualification to apply for your nursing license, it helps expedite becoming a PMHNP.

If you're interested in becoming a nurse practitioner or an advanced practice registered nurse, you'll need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Some MSN degree programs specialize in psychiatric-mental health and offer a mandatory field practicum to help practitioners gain essential skills and competencies in that discipline.

The final step in becoming a certified PMHNP is successfully passing the board examination. First, you'll need to meet the eligibility requirements, which include:

A registered nurse (RN) license
A master's degree, post-graduate certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours
Three separate graduate-level courses in physiology/pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology
Content in health promotion and differential diagnosis and disease management
Clinical training in a minimum of two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities

Fortunately, some of your master's degree coursework will focus on psychiatric-mental health, and the field practicum hours could count towards those requirements.

What will I learn in a PMHNP MSN program?

Several PMHNP MSN programs offer similar core courses designed to prepare students for certification and work in this challenging profession. The typical PMHNP curriculum includes an in-depth focus on:

Advanced health assessment
Advanced pathophysiology
Advanced pharmacotherapeutics
Advanced PMH assessment and intervention
Epidemiology of behavioral health
Neuroscience for mental health practitioners
Promoting health in the community
Psychopharmacology
Theories of individual and family psychotherapy
Therapeutic counseling modalities

In addition, most PMHNP MSN programs include clinical experience through a supervised field practicum. This experience provides hands-on training in assessing patients, developing care plans, evaluating and monitoring acute or chronic mental illnesses, and collaborating with other mental healthcare professionals.

What is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing (PMHNP MSN)?

A PMHNP MSN program is the gateway to a career in psychiatric-mental health. Finding a program that meets the core competencies required by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) is essential. Schools with top PMHNP programs that position future practitioners for career readiness include:

Duke University School of Nursing
Hunter College of the City University of New York School of Nursing
New York University School of Nursing
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Yale University School of Nursing

How long does it take to earn a PMHNP MSN degree?

Most PMHNP MSN programs require two years of full-time study to complete. Some full-time programs—Vanderbilt's, for one—can take just three semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

The number of credit hours and field education hours also varies by program. For example, Hunter College requires 48 credits and 630 hours of supervised clinical experience. Yale University requires 52.5 credits and 774 clinical hours.

Few programs provide distance learning options. However, future online programs, such as the Yale School of Nursing's upcoming PMHNP program (enrolling students in summer 2023), open opportunities for more flexibility. These part-time options, designed for RNs, allow working professionals to continue serving in their local communities.

What are the PMHNP MSN program admissions criteria/prerequisites?

General admission requirements for graduate-level nursing programs include:

Online application and associated fees
Transcripts
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher from a bachelor's degree program
Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if GPA is lower than 3.0
Statement of purpose
Three letters of recommendation
English language proficiency exam for non-native English speakers

Additional requirements to gain entry into PMHNP MSN programs or other advanced nursing programs may include:

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
A registered nurse (RN) license with at least two years of full-time clinical practice
Professional resume with relevant work experience
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a nursing instructor or clinical supervisor

Many years of education and experience precede practice as a certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Fortunately, the PMHNP curricula in many programs help prepare aspiring practitioners to gain critical knowledge and clinical experience to succeed in this specialization.

Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com