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 student will complete approximately 600 clinical hours during this program of study, which builds on a successful program already in place at Shenandoah University’s Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing.
Effective January 2022, the School of Nursing received approval to offer this program in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings.
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. 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.
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 graduate nursing classes in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings. Students may also utilize study areas 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.
Clinical Experience
A variety of clinical psychiatric inpatient and ambulatory care settings to include primary care sites are utilized. The psychiatric practice course combines didactic and clinical experience to apply differential diagnosis and medication management principles for the care of acute and chronic psychiatric clients. Students will have clinical hours in both individual therapy and also group and family therapy along with clinical 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 600 clinical hours by the end of the program of study.
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.
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
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
Fall 2
- Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology 3
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult with Practicum – (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Spring 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent w/ Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Summer 2
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan w/ Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
- Data Interpretation & Informatics 3
Fall 3
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total: 46 Credits and 600 Clinical Hours.
Application Information and 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 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 (one from former nursing faculty (if attended school in last 5 years; and two from professionals who can attest to clinical experience)
- Resume/C.V.
- Essay answering the following questions:
- How will this degree advance your professional goals?
- 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)
- Successful completion of BSN courses:
- Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Completion of undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of “C” or better within the last five years
- 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.
