Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
Let your patience, passion for caregiving, and communication skills guide you in this MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program. Develop your advanced nursing practice expertise and explore how to best manage and help patients who need mental health care.
Program Overview
Get to know our online MSN PMHNP program
This flexible online psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree equips you with an in-demand skill set and provides individualized attention from caring, expert faculty. Curriculum integrates psychopathology, health policy, advanced health assessment, and clinical pharmacology. By building on your foundation of evidence-based practice and completing 500 clinical hours, you will graduate ready to work with increased autonomy as a mental health nurse practitioner.
In this CCNE-accredited nursing master's program, you will gain the knowledge and insights to make independent, crucial judgments with authority. Specialized courses encourage you to think critically and with empathy to assess, diagnose, treat, and evaluate clients across the lifespan who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders.
You will learn the theories related to mental health nursing, prepare to provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders, and become empowered to advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes.
The MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers six starts per year, 100% online coursework, and can be completed in as few as 18 months. STU offers flexible enrollment so you can choose to continue working while earning your degree. You will have access to virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and assistance with obtaining clinical sites and preceptors.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision-making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within your chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration, and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision-making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within your chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration, and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Careers
- Correctional Facilities
- Behavioral Health Programs
- Residential Substance Abuse Shelters
- Outpatient Clinics
- Detox Centers
- Schools
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
- Correctional Facilities
- Behavioral Health Programs
- Residential Substance Abuse Shelters
- Outpatient Clinics
- Detox Centers
- Schools
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree programs in nursing, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Tuition
Take Advantage of Affordable Tuition at STU
Tuition for the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $585 | $1,830 | $30,600 |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
See our application deadlines and course schedules below
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you. Time to completion may vary depending on your start date and course availability. Speak with your Enrollment Specialist for more details.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/9/24 | 2/22/24 | 2/26/24 | 3/1/24 | 3/6/24 | 5/3/24 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 1 | 5/11/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/29/24 | 5/3/24 | 5/8/24 | 6/21/24 | 6 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/22/24 | 6/5/24 | 6/10/24 | 6/14/24 | 6/19/24 | 8/2/24 | 6 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/17/24 | 8/1/24 | 8/5/24 | 8/9/24 | 8/14/24 | 10/11/24 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/12/24 | 9/26/24 | 9/30/24 | 10/4/24 | 10/9/24 | 12/6/24 | 7 weeks |
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Admissions
Know the qualifications for our online MSN PMHNP program
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Due to in-person clinical requirements, only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.
Admission Requirements:
- Free Application
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active RN license
MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online Admission Requirements
The following are required for admission to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program:
- Completed free application
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts are accepted)
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
- Residency in Florida or Georgia for clinicals
Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].
Courses
Read about our MSN PMHNP online classes
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four Psychiatric Management clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each: NUR 620CL, NUR 630CL, NUR 640CL, and NUR 650CL. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period (six weeks during the summer), and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.
Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:
- Current unencumbered RN licensure
- Current professional liability insurance
- Criminal background check
- Other background checks as required by clinical facilities
- Drug screening
- Basic life support (CPR) certification
- Annual physical examination
- Current immunizations
Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors
Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.
Suitable preceptors are Psych-Mental Health APRNs and licensed psychiatrists. Psychologists may not serve as preceptors. The scope of the clinicals covers medication management and psychiatric evaluation.
If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
Restrictions on Clinical Sites
We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.
MSN PMHNP students can conduct their clinical hours in the private office of a licensed psychiatrist or APRN. Other suitable locations are at a mental health clinic or hospital with a licensed psychiatrist or Psych-Mental Health nurse practitioner.
STU is ranked #80 in the “Best Regional Universities South” by U.S. News & World Report, 2022
