MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Emphasis
MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Emphasis
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The Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is designed to educate more healthcare professionals to help narrow the gap between mental health needs and a shortage of psychiatric care providers. This emphasis may be ideal for experienced nurses who are looking to gain the additional education needed for a career helping to support and treat those with psychiatric disorders and mental illnesses.
In this mental health psychiatric nurse practitioner program, you will work to understand the nurse practitioner (NP) scope of practice, as well as how to consult, assess and ultimately treat psychiatric disorders, while helping patients manage them long-term.
If you’re looking to advance your nursing studies to pursue a career as a mental health practitioner, read through some frequently asked questions to learn more about this field and about completing your MSN psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs online.1
The path to this profession is a multi-step educational and professional pathway. You must first earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN to become an RN. You will also need to gain clinical experience, preferably in the psychiatric or mental health nursing field. A graduate degree is then required, either an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), with a specialization in psychiatric-mental health nursing. You must obtain a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, followed by applying for state licensure as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
PMHNPs diagnose and treat patients who are dealing with mental health concerns and also work to spread overall awareness about mental health. These professionals may work in private practice, specialty clinics or treatment centers, and often work with other health professionals. They can work with all populations and often educate patients and their families about mental health while trying to destigmatize it.2
Because mental health needs are prevalent in all industries, there are numerous settings in which psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can work. Mental health practitioners may make an impact in a variety of healthcare settings, such as:
Online: $750 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
You will also take several advanced courses, building on your previous working knowledge of the topic at hand to develop a deeper understanding of the course materials.
A total of 750 clinical hours are required for the MSN psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner emphasis program, which will be completed through several of your combined didactic and clinical courses. Some of your courses also include immersive on-campus experiences that will teach you advanced practice skills.
Course topics include:
Become a catalyst for change in mental healthcare by pursuing your MSN with a focus on psychiatric practice.
Along with our comprehensive MS nursing curriculum, opportunities for online collaboration and immersive, in-person learning experiences, our program is also grounded in a Christian perspective. By enrolling in this program, offered by the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, you can dive into faith-enriched coursework, and become inspired to develop as an ethical practitioner and servant leader in your community.
GCU offers a PMHNP online MSN program for students who are looking for a more suitable option for them when completing their program.1 Online courses can provide convenience for adult learners with multiple priorities. You will have access to online learning resources, tools and support that can assist you in your studies.
Program available in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas
The knowledge and skills you will have the opportunity to acquire in this program can provide you with the opportunity to set yourself up for potential career advancement. You may also gain a stronger, more diverse background in the field to be able to demonstrate the experience you need become a professional in the mental health field. As a graduate, you may have the opportunity to take on a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner position.
It’s important to consider the accreditation of a university in which you plan to invest time, effort and finances when enrolling in any program. Accreditation speaks to the quality of a university, demonstrating that you are completing an approved curriculum reviewed by an accrediting body. GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.
For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
In this MSN with an emphasis in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program, you will be taught numerous course topics that can prepare you for a career as a mental health nurse practitioner. This series of topics will teach you how to provide mental health care across the lifespan to a diverse set of patients in a variety of settings.
Course topics include:
Leadership and informatics
Translational research
Population health management
Psychiatric mental health foundations
Psychiatric mental health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment
Integrative management and psychiatric disorders
