Be Part of the Future of Health Care Delivery
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program consists of didactic and clinical course content essential to providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups within hospital and community settings. The PMHNP program also provides the nurse with the necessary biopsychopharmacotherapeutic knowledge and skills regarding differential diagnosis, health promotion, and psychotropic medication (prescriptive authority) for the psychiatric mental health patient across the lifespan. The program is seven-semesters and cohorts are established annually in the Fall. Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and the faculty. Clinical experiences are scheduled at the convenience of the facility hosting the student. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination.
The PMHNP degree requirement is 49 total credit hours with approximately 780 clinical hours of clinical practicum.
Learn More About The PMHNP Program
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program is designed to provide the nurse with the necessary biopsychopharmacotherapeutic knowledge and skills regarding differential diagnosis, health promotion and psychotropic medication management (prescriptive authority) for the PMH patient across the life span. The specialty also consists of didactic and clinical course content essential to provide psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups within hospitals and the community settings. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the national Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification examination given by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Nursing at Shenandoah
Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing‘s programs are challenging, but the rewards of completing your degree and entering this critical profession are many. We are committed to providing an outstanding education to nurses at all levels. Our programs are dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and the health care industry. Shenandoah Nursing offers graduate nursing classes in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings. Students may also utilize study areas on the main campus in Winchester at the Health and Life Sciences Building or library. We’re excited to share our programs with you.
The curricula for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs combine important knowledge and skills with a friendly and caring spirit. Students share diverse backgrounds and professional experiences with seasoned teaching faculty and clinical preceptors, who contribute to robust classroom discussions and enrich clinical interactions. Our goal is to prepare and challenge you for that next step in your professional career.
Clinical Experience
Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and the faculty. Students gain valuable clinical experiences for providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of populations in a variety of hospitals and community settings. Clinical practicums take place during four semesters: the student will complete at least 120-180 clinical hours each of the first three practicums, and will complete 300 clinical hours during the final practicum. The student completes at least 780 clinical hours by the end of the program of study.
Meet the Faculty
Meet Paula Allocca, Director of PMH Program
Classes
The PMHNP program is fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The program is typically completed in 7 semesters (including summers).
You’ll learn:
- psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups within hospitals and community settings
- assessment, diagnosis and psychotropic medication management
- education for students, patients and staff
- health promotion/maintenance
Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Certification PMHNP exam.
Our graduates work as educators, consultants, prescribers, therapists, researchers and in combined roles. Some work in military installations, community mental health centers, child and adolescent settings, private practice with community psychiatrists or as teaching faculty.
You’ll study with students and faculty from other disciplines such as pharmacy, social work, medicine and psychology; and gain valuable clinical experience for providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of populations in a variety of hospitals and community settings.
Alumni are eligible for a tuition discount.
MSN-PMHNP 7-Semester Student Curriculum
MSN-PMHNP 7-Semester Plan of Study
Fall 1
- Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy 3
- Advanced Concepts in Physiology and Pathophysiology 3
Spring 1
- Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics 3
- Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan 4
Summer 1
- Research and Evidence Based Practice 4
- Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology 3
Fall 2
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult 2
- Practicum I – (180 clinical hours) 3
Spring 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent 2
- Practicum II (180 clinical hours) 3
Summer 2
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan 2
- Practicum III (120 clinical hours) 2
- Data Interpretation & Informatics 3
Fall 3
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (300 clinical hours) 5
Total: 49 Credits and 780 Clinical Hours.
Admissions Requirements and Application Information
We’re excited you’re interested in one of our graduate nursing programs! Shenandoah reviews applications on a rolling basis, which means we will begin evaluating your application once all your documentation has been submitted. Students submitting completed applications before our priority deadlines will be considered first.
Admissions Requirements
- Graduate application with $30 application fee
- Earned BSN degree from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution. Recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Unofficial transcripts for initial admission from all institutions of higher education previously attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (one from former nursing faculty (if attended school in last 5 years; and two from professionals who can attest to clinical experience)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering the following questions:
- Why are you choosing to pursue the PMHNP role?
- Documentation of one full year of direct patient care prior to specialty courses
- Unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Applicants must have completed or will complete the following prerequisite course requirements prior to enrolling at Shenandoah:
- Undergraduate Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. Recommended grade of “B” or better
- Undergraduate Chemistry course with a grade of “C” or better
- Undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of “C” or better
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty will be required.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test may be required. See our policy for full details. http://lm03.josephmillerdds.com/admissions/international-students
- Upon admission, up-to-date immunizations and health records, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen and CPR (from AHA only) will be required.
For international students who require a visa, due to limited on-campus hours, F-1 visas are not issued for this program.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Submit the Graduate Application
Graduate Program Assured Admission
Beginning Fall 2024, the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at Shenandoah University will offer assured graduate program admission to its BSN or MSN alumni who are interested in earning an MSN, post-master’s specialty certificate, and/or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Alumni must meet minimum admission requirements to the MSN, post-master’s, and DNP programs, and will be required to submit an application by the application deadline. Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of February 15 to secure placement within their desired cohort.
School of Nursing alumni are assured entry into the following graduate programs:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) MSN
- Nurse-Midwifery (NM) MSN
- All Post-Master’s Certificates – FNP, PMHNP, NM
- Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
We encourage alumni to learn more about this benefit and our graduate programs. For more information, please contact Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing Programs Robbie McCauley, DNP, at rmccaule87@josephmillerdds.com.
