Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)

The Post-Masters Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PM-PMHNP) program will prepare the APRN with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health care patients across the lifespan. The program is designed for the licensed RN who has a master of science in nursing degree and at least one year of advanced practice nursing experience*. Courses are competency based, founded on evidence-based approaches to care management and learning strategies with commitment to student success and continuous quality improvement embedded within the process. 

Synchronous, asynchronous, low and high-fidelity simulation, virtual and on campus intensives, and clinical immersion will reinforce didactic content and afford the student the opportunity to transition to an active member of a collaborative mental health care team. Upon successful program completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC).

Admission Requirements

In addition to the standard Graduate School requirements, the Department of Nursing and PM-PMHNP program require:

Admission Requirements

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing. Master degree in nursing. 
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
4. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
5. 2 letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends will not be accepted. References should be substantial with one academic, if available.
6. Updated Resume
7. Personal Statement. Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
   1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
   2. Specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
8. Course descriptions should be submitted for any course you are requesting transferred or  waived. Courses must have been completed within 7 years of admission. 

*Eligibility for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) certification examination requires completion of the following three separate,comprehensive graduate-level courses within 5 years of admission:

• Advanced Physical/Health Assessment
• Advanced Pathophysiology (through the lifespan)
• Advanced Pharmacology

A customized plan of study will be created for admitted students and is based on prior coursework.  Additional foundational coursework may be required to meet ANCC certification requirements. 

Program Requirements

• A customized plan of study will be created for admitted students and is based upon prior course work.
• Additional foundational coursework may be required to meet ANCC certification requirements.

Clinical Hours: 750*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 986, NURS 987, NURS 988, NURS 989.

• Integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines, to formulate clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.
• Design person-centered care that builds on a scientific body of knowledge focusing on individuals with multiple complicated circumstances, including family and/or important others.
• Advocate for healthcare delivery from public health prevention to disease management through collaborative activities for equitable population health outcomes.
• Disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health care.
• Integrate established and emerging principles of safety as core nursing values to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers.
• Lead collaborative care teams to optimize patient outcomes and improve health care experiences.
• Coordinate resources for diverse populations to provide safe, quality, and equitable care.
• Utilize informatics and communication technologies in developing and delivering optimal healthcare services according to best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
• Cultivate a sustainable professional nursing identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.
• Utilize leadership skills, change theories, and effective decision making in advanced nursing roles in the provision of care.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)

Location/Delivery: School of Nursing [Online Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Nurse Practitioner

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

¹

State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.