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.  Graduates of this specialty have earned their MSN degree or Post Graduate Certificate and are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Certification PMHNP exams.

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.

A variety of clinical psychiatric inpatient and ambulatory care settings to include primary care sites are utilized. The psychiatric practice (PMH695) course combines didactic and a 120 hour clinical experience to apply differential diagnosis and medication management principles for the care of acute and chronic psychiatric clients.  Students will have 180 clinical hours in both individual therapy and also group and family therapy along with 120 hours in primary care settings such as the emergency room where the students learns to integrate and differentiate primary care and psychiatric mental health care. The student completes at least 700 clinical hours by the end of the program of study. 

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.

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 Two (2) Year Plan of Study

Fall 1

• N 507 Data Interpretation & Informatics 3
• N 512 Theory, Research, & Reasoning I 3
• N 560 Advanced Concepts in Physiology and Pathology 3

Spring 1

• N 521 Theory, Research, & Reasoning II 3
• N 550 Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics 3
• N/Lab 580 Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan 4

Summer 1

• N 532 Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy 3
• NP 525 Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology 3
• PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy 3

Fall 2

• PMH/L 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent w/ Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
• PMH/L 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult with Practicum – (120 clinical hours) 2/2

Spring 2

• PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric 2
• PMH/L 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan w/ Practicum  (120 clinical hours) 2/2
• HP 576 Substance and Relationship Abuse 3

Summer 2

• NP 690 Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
• PMHL 695 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4

Total: 51 Credits and 600 Clinical Hours.

 

MSN-PMHNP Three (3) Year Plan of Study

Fall 1

• N 512 Theory, Research, & Reasoning I 3
• N 560 Adv Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology 3

Spring 1

• N 507 Data Interpretation & Informatics  3
• N 550 Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics 3

Summer 1

• N 532 Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics and Policy  3

Fall 2

• N/NLAB 580 Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan 4
• N 521 Theory, Research & Reasoning II 3

Spring 2

• HP 576 Substance Abuse and Relationship Abuse 3
• PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2

Summer 2

• NP 525 Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology 3
• PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy 3

Fall 3

• PMH/L 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent w/Practicum (120 Clinical hours) 2/2
• PMH/L 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult w/Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2

Spring 3

• PMH/L 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan w/Practicum  (120 clinical hours) 2/2

Summer 3

• PMHL 695 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum  (240 clinical hours) 4
• NP 690 Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2

Total:  51 credits and 600 Clinical Hours.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?

• MSN-PMHNP at FT status takes 2 years (6 semesters)
• MSN-PMHNP at PT status takes 3 years (9 semesters)
• Post-grad certificate takes 4 semesters (summer to summer)

HOW ARE THE CLASSES OFFERED?
All classes are offered in a synchronous distance format. This means that the classes will be held in a classroom setting, as well as live-streamed on your computer. You may attend whichever way works best for you. 

WHERE ARE CLASSES LOCATED?
Main Campus | 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
INOVA Center for Personalized Health Site (ICPH) | 8095 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

HOW MANY CLINICAL HOURS DO I NEED?
MSN-PMHNP includes 600 clinical hours

WHERE DO I DO MY CLINICALS?
Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and the faculty. We try to customize the clinical experience to your needs and wants as much as possible. We have current articulation agreements with several sites but will also look at starting up new contracts with sites that you have built relationships with. You may also use Map of Affiliation in EXXAT to see current sites we are already affiliated with by location. Clinical experiences are scheduled at the convenience of the facility hosting the student.

CAN I ATTEND THE PROGRAM ON A PART TIME BASIS?
Yes.

HOW MANY CLASSES DO I TAKE EACH SEMESTER?

• MSN-PMHNP at FT
• MSN-PMHNP at PT
• Post-grad certificate PMHNP for currently practicing NPs
• Post-grad certificate PMHNP for Non-NPs

IS THERE A CERTIFICATION TEST THAT I NEED TO TAKE AFTER GRADUATION?
Yes. You may take the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

WHAT DOES IT COST?
See SU Tuition/Fees breakdown
SU alumni receive a $360 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:

Computer Hardware Requirements
	Windows	Macintosh
Operating System	Windows 10	Latest Mac OS X 10.14 or higher
Processor	Intel Core i3 processor or better	Intel Core i3 processor or better
Memory	8GB or more	8GB or more
Networking Hardware	Wired or Wireless connection	Wired or Wireless connection
Audio Video*	WebCam, Audio & Microphone	WebCam, Audio & Microphone

*Headset or earbuds are recommended for better listening quality

Computer Software & Services Requirements: In order to utilize all the available features and content for Shenandoah University online or distance education courses you will need the following software and services:

	Computer Software & Services Requirements (Windows or Macintosh)
Internet Service**	High Speed DSL, Cable, or Wireless (satellite connection not recommended) Test your internet connection speed at: http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/bw.asp Recommended speed at least 3Mb per second
Internet Browser	Latest version of Firefox, Chrome or Safari
Office Suite	Microsoft Office Suite (Provided for full time students)
Browser Configuration	Must support JavaScript, allow cookies and popup blocker must be turned off
Media Player	Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player or VLC

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.

Additional software may be required by your individual program. Students will be notified by their faculty if this is the case.

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

WHEN DO CLASSES START?

• All MSN programs start in the Fall regardless of PT/FT status.
• Initiative students start our piece of their program in the summer.
• All Post-Graduate Certificate tracks begin in the Summer.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION?

• Master’s of Science in Nursing –
  • SU graduate application along with $30 non-refundable application fee
  • Earned BSN 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
  • 3 letters of recommendation (1 from nursing faculty, 2 from direct supervisors)
  • Resume/C.V.
  • Essay answering the following questions:
    • How will this degree advance your professional goals?
    • What is your research area of interest?
  • Documentation of 2,080 RN clinical work hours prior to specialty courses (which may also be obtained during the first year of the MSN program at your place of work)
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Successful completion of BSN courses with a “C” or better in:
    • Physical Assessment
    • Introductory Statistics
    • Community Nursing
  • Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required.
  • TOEFL score at acceptable level for Non-Native English Speakers
  • 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.
• Post-Graduate Certificates –
  • 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?
    • What is your research area of interest?
  • Documentation of 2,080 RN clinical work hours prior to specialty courses
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Successful completion of MSN courses with a “B” or better:
    • Advanced Physical Assessment
    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required.
  • TOEFL score at acceptable level for Non-Native English Speakers
  • 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.

HOW DO I APPLY?
Submit the Graduate Application

ONCE ACCEPTED, IS ORIENTATION MANDATORY?
Yes. Orientation is mandatory because we have gathered all of the appropriate personnel to train you on the required software platforms that will be used throughout your program.  However, orientation is offered in a virtual setting so you will not need to come to campus.

WILL I NEED A VIRGINIA RN LICENSE?
Yes. You will need a Virginia OR a Multi-State license for allowance of practicing in your clinical experiences.

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.

Application Information

Admissions Requirements

• SU graduate application along with $30 non-refundable application fee
• Earned BSN 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
• 3 letters of recommendation (1 from nursing faculty, 2 from direct supervisors)
• Resume/C.V.
• Essay answering the following questions:
  • How will this degree advance your professional goals?
  • What is your research area of interest?
• Documentation of 2,080 RN clinical work hours prior to specialty courses (which may also be obtained during the first year of the MSN program at your place of work)
• Copy of current RN license
• Successful completion of BSN courses with a “C” or better in:
  • Physical Assessment
  • Introductory Statistics
  • Community Nursing
• Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required.
• TOEFL score at acceptable level for Non-Native English Speakers
• 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.