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 able to take either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) examination.

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 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 Paula Allocca, Director of PMH Program

Meet The Nursing Faculty

Total credits: 46

Total clinical hours: 600

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?

• MSN-PMHNP takes 7 semesters

HOW ARE THE CLASSES OFFERED?
All classes are offered in an online synchronous format.  

WHERE ARE CLASSES LOCATED?
Classes are online but students may utilize study spaces or the library on the main campus, if needed.

Main Campus | 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601

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 clinical placement team. The team works with the student to help navigate the procurement of sites, preceptors and the contractual agreements.  Clinical experiences are scheduled at the convenience of the facility hosting the student.

IS THERE A CERTIFICATION TEST THAT I NEED TO TAKE AFTER GRADUATION?
Yes. You may take either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) examination.

WHAT DOES IT 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:

*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:

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

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION?

Admissions requirements and application information can be found in the tab below.

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

• 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
• Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN direct patient care hours
• 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 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

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@su.edu.