Expand your career in nursing and help restore individuals to a higher level of mental health
The Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner serves as an educator, consultant, prescriber, therapist and researcher to enhance life quality for individuals with mental illness, and to prevent mental illness in high risk populations such as children, the elderly and those with co-occurring medical illness and/or substance abuse.
Shenandoah’s Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program prepares you with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, meanings and experiences to assume the role of a PMHNP in a variety of clinical settings. The program consists of didactic and clinical course content essential to provide psychotherapy to individuals, families and groups within hospitals and community settings.
The Post Graduate Certificate (PGC): Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is designed for RNs who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with a MSN in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
Cohorts are established annually in the Summer (non-NP’s will begin in the Fall as they may have an additional two semesters if they require the prerequisites). Once the prerequisites are met, the program can be completed full time in 5 consecutive semesters via a hybrid methodology. Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and faculty. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric NP Certification Exam.
Effective January 2022, the School of Nursing received approval to offer this program in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings.
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— from people entering the profession with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, to advanced practice nurses seeking doctoral-level training. Our programs are dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and the health care industry. Shenandoah Nursing offers classes in Winchester at the Health and Life Sciences Building, and in Fairfax at the Shenandoah Northern Virginia campus. 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 like you share diverse backgrounds and personal and professional experiences with seasoned teaching faculty and clinical preceptors, who contribute to robust classroom discussions and enriching and exciting clinical interactions. Our goal is to prepare and challenge you for that next step in your professional career
Career Possibilities
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.
Classes
Shenandoah’s collaboration with partner universities allows you to complete your core MSN courses at your home university, and complete your PMHNP courses at Shenandoah. The program is fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and includes 600 clinical hours. 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.
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.
You can select your program of study based on your experience and area of specialization. Choose from RN-MSN with PMHNP focus, MSN with PMHNP focus, Certificate Post-MSN (post-NP), Concurrent PMHNP-DNP with Mental Health clinical focus, or PMHNP Initiative. Through the PMHNP Initiative, you can complete your core classes at your home university, and complete the specialty courses at Shenandoah through our online synchronous format. Clinicals are offered in your community of residence, and select courses are available online.
Alumni are eligible for a tuition discount.
Our partnerships/collaborative relationships with schools and the military enhance opportunities for you to attend Shenandoah University for your specialty and attend core courses at home, school or close to a military installation.
We offer clinical experiences at sites such as the National Institute of Health.
We support your interests. One of our students was interested in pet therapy as a therapy modality. She studied for an intense week in New England with a pet therapist who worked through a variety of healing animals such as horses, rabbits and dogs.
There are opportunities for therapies such as bereavement counseling, crisis intervention and suicide counseling. You will also have the opportunity to work with pregnant teens and women experiencing maternal depression.
Post-Grad Certificate PMHNP for Currently Practicing NPs
Post Master’s Certificate – PMHNP (NP) – 5 Semester Plan
Prerequisites (if you need to take the prerequisite courses they may add an additional 2 semesters and start in the Fall)
- Advanced Pathophysiology 3 (offered only in the fall and is a prerequisite for Advanced Health Assessment)
- Advanced Pharmacology 3 (offered only in the spring)
- Advanced Health Assessment 4 (offered both in fall and spring)
Summer I
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
Fall I
- Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology 3
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Spring I
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2
Summer II
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Fall II
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total: 24 credit hours and 600 clinical hours
Post-Grad Certificate PMHNP for Non-NPs
Post Master’s Certificate – PMHNP (NON-NP) – 5 Semester Plan
Prerequisites – (if you need to take the prerequisite courses they may add an additional 2 semesters and start in the Fall)
- Advanced Pathophysiology 3 (offered only in the fall and is a prerequisite for Advanced Health Assessment)
- Advanced Pharmacology 3 (offered only in the spring)
- Advanced Health Assessment 4 (offered both in fall and spring)
Summer I
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
Fall I
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology 3
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
- Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy 3
Spring I
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent w/Practicum (120 Clinical hours) 2/2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2
Summer II
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Fall II
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total: 29 credit hours and 600 Clinical Hours.
Application Information & Requirements
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
- SU graduate application along with $30 non-refundable application fee
- Earned MSN degree from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Unofficial transcripts for initial admission from all institutions of higher education previously attended
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 from nursing faculty, 1 from direct supervisor)
- Resume/C.V.
- Essay answering the following questions:
- How will this degree advance your professional goals?
- Documentation of 2,080 RN direct patient care hours
- Copy of current unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Copy of Advanced Practice Nursing certification
- Successful completion of MSN courses with a “B” or better:
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty will be required.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo English Test may be required. See our policy for full details: https://www.su.edu/admissions/international-students
- Upon admission – up-to-date immunizations and health records, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen and a BCLS from AHA only will be required.
