Program Description

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-graduate advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certificate program is a comprehensive and advanced nursing education program that builds upon the foundation of a graduate nursing degree (MSN, DNP, PhD). Applicants must have completed advanced pharmacology (NURS 7755 ), advanced physiology (NURS 7765 ), and advanced physical assessment (NURS 7735 ) courses, or their equivalent, in order to complete this post-graduate APRN certificate program. This program equips the APRN with the specialized knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide high quality mental health and psychiatric care to diverse populations across the lifespan. As a PMHNP you will be prepared to work in a variety of clinical settings, from primary care and mental health clinics to private practices and mental health facilities.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, related sciences, and humanities in the implementation of advanced nursing roles and specialties to improve healthcare outcomes in all healthcare settings or systems.
2. Integrate social, economic, organizational, ethical, legal, and cultural influences in planning, delivering, managing, and evaluating potential and actual healthcare problems of individuals, families, and diverse populations.
3. Employ strategies for evidence-based practice in the leadership, education, or administration of healthcare settings or systems.
4. Apply collaborative, interprofessional communication skills to improve care delivery systems, safety, quality outcomes, and patient self-care, and to expedite coordination of services across all healthcare settings or systems.
5. Employ informatics and healthcare technologies in the delivery, integration, and coordination of healthcare education, administration, or practice for individuals, families, and diverse populations.
6. Employ leadership and advocacy skills in the implementation of ethical and collaborative policies to improve quality and safety outcomes for individuals, families, and diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings and systems.
7. Participate in the creation and translation of research and evidence-based knowledge in all healthcare settings to improve care, quality, and safety for patients, families, and diverse populations, as well as for self and the healthcare team.

This program is a part of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office: 

• Applicants are required to have completed a previous MSN, DNP, or PhD degree.
• Must have completed courses in advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment prior to starting the program.

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements. 

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements