MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

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 placement is a collaborative process between the student and faculty. Students provide referrals for preferred sites/preceptors; the program directors customize the clinical experience student needs and wants as much as possible while prioritizing achievement of learning objectives and clinical competencies. The School of Nursing is responsible for final clinical site selection and student placement.

Meet Paula Allocca, Director of PMH Program

Meet The Nursing Faculty

Our graduates work as educators, consultants, healthcare providers, 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.

Graduates of the PMHNP will be able to:

1. Synthesize evidence-based practice, clinical guidelines, and clinical judgment to improve the quality of behavioral and psychiatric mental health practice in diverse populations with consideration for social determinants of health.
2. Apply ethical, cultural, legal and social factors that influence access, equity, quality and cost effectiveness to advance mental health nursing practice.
3. Demonstrate, through competency based evaluation, the delivery, management, health policy process, and leadership of advanced practice nursing and population health in mental health care settings.
4. Create interprofessional dialogues and utilize healthcare technologies to optimize clinical decision making and evidence-based practice to support and strengthen patient outcomes in behavioral and mental health.
5. Construct a sustainable professional psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner identity and practice that reflects compassionate, holistic, and wellness-focused patient-centered care for diverse populations.

N 532	Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy
N 560	Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology
N 504	Introduction to Graduate Writing
N 550	Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics
N/NLAB 580	Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan
N 507	Data Interpretation & Informatics
NP 526	Mental Health in Primary Care
NP 610	Primary Care of Families: Chronic
NPLB 650	Primary Care of Families (180 Clinical Hours)
NPLB 530	Family Nurse Practitioner Foundational Immersion
NP 620	Primary Care of Families: Acute
NPLB 670	Primary Care of Families – Practicum (180 Clinical Hours)
NP 631	Women’s Health in Primary Care
NP 632	Primary Care of Pediatrics
N 522	Research & Evidence-Based Practice
NP 690	Transition to APRN Practice
NPLB 641	Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner Immersion
NPLB 680	Primary Care Advanced Practicum (240 Clinical Hours)

Total credits: 46

Total clinical hours: 600

How long will it take to complete the program?
MSN-PMH students typically graduate in 7 terms (1.5 years – including summers)

How are the classes offered?
This program is offered in an online format with weekly synchronous class meetings.

Can I attend the program on a part-time basis?
No  

Where are the classes located?
Classes are online but students may utilize campus study rooms or the library on the main campus or at the Loudon location. 

Main Campus | 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
Loudoun I 44160 Scholar Plaza, Leesburg, VA 20176

Once accepted, is orientation mandatory?
Yes. Orientation is mandatory. Orientation consists of two parts:  1) asynchronous modules to be completed after receipt of your welcome letter   2)synchronous online orientation and advising session.  Note: All asynchronous modules must be completed prior to the synchronous orientation day.

Will I need a Virginia license?
Yes. You will need a Virginia OR a Multi-state license.  You must be licensed in any state in which you will have clinical experiences.

What is the cost?
See SU Tuition/Fees breakdown.
SU alumni receive a per-credit discount.

What technology do I need?
A computer with internet and microphone capability.

To participate effectively in Shenandoah University’s distance learning courses, you must have full access to a reliable laptop/desktop connected to the Internet. Specific courses may have additional requirements and students should refer to the syllabus.

Computer Hardware Requirements: Your computer and communications hardware should meet or exceed the following requirements: https://su.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2836/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=165724

**Your Internet connection may vary depending on where you live, what type of Internet connection you have, and your Internet provider. If your Internet connection is slower, you may still use SU features, however, you may encounter difficulties when loading pages, audio video playback may be choppy and downloading/uploading assignments may take longer, especially during peak usage times.

If you have any questions regarding Shenandoah University’s computer recommendations, please contact our IT Help Desk at helpdesk@su.edu or 540‐665‐5555.

Is there a certification test I need to take after graduation?
Yes, you will be eligible to take the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification exam from either The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) or from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

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
• 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
• 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 2,080 direct patient care hours prior to specialty courses
• Unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
• Interview with graduate nursing faculty may 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. 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 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

The Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at Shenandoah University offers 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@su.edu.