DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Overview
A PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides mental health care to families, individuals, and populations across the lifespan. The PMHNP works primarily in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, substance abuse programs, and private psychiatric or mental health practices to diagnose conditions and prescribe treatments. Behavioral telehealth is a growing area, offering patients accessible virtual mental healthcare no matter where they live. Some psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in specific patient populations, such as pediatrics or military/veterans.
Why Choose PMHNP?
Students should choose the PMHNP track if they enjoy working with diverse communities and focusing on mental health across the lifespan. As a PMHNP, the student will learn how to deliver family-focused care in diverse settings to patients from different backgrounds, including underserved and vulnerable populations. PMHNPs provide diagnostic services, treatment, and other care for those struggling with mental health problems. Our PMHNP track strongly emphasizes the comprehensive preparation necessary for psychiatric and mental health practice throughout the life cycle.
Sites of Practice
Graduates from our PMHNP track practice independently and serve as valued members of larger health care teams. Our graduates practice in a range of settings and with diverse populations, including:
- Correctional facilities
- Community health centers (urban and rural)
- Home health agencies
- Inpatient settings
- Veteran’s facilities
- Integrated primary care and behavioral health settings
- Outpatient clinics (community mental health, private practice)
- Schools/Universities
Our PMHNP students are prepared to:
- Partner with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to promote and support optimal mental health;
- Perform physical, psychological, and psychiatric assessments, including ordering and interpreting psychiatric related diagnostic testing;
- Provide evidence-based care to patients with psychiatric and mental health conditions such as mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, and substance use disorders;
- Establish differential diagnoses, provide psychotherapies, interventions, and manage psychotropic medications; and
- Support nursing and the role of the PMHNP
Available Pathways
Post Master's NP to Psychiatric Mental Health DNP
BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
*Each student’s plan of study may vary based on the evaluation of transfer credits upon admission
Expected Costs
| All DNP Program Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| COMPLIO | $154 | |
| Typhon | $90 | |
| Books | $750 | |
| PMH Track | In-State | Out of State |
| Tuition for PMH Track | $444.26 (per credit hour) | $1,075.66 per credit hour) |
Curriculum
Our DNP program prepares the learner for an advanced practice role and to capably apply evidence to nursing practice consistent with improved patient outcomes. The DNP program’s academic (didactic) curriculum and required clinical hours provide each student with a solid foundation to become a leader in the advanced practice nursing profession. Each student will have the opportunity to work with nationally recognized faculty for their clinical practice and research. Additionally, students will gain hundreds of hours of hands-on clinical experience within diverse organizations with expert clinical preceptors across the country (but local to the student).
By combining advanced practice nursing skills and knowledge in evaluating evidence-based research, students are empowered to become more capable and effective practitioners.
Program by Year
Year 1
Year one of the DNP program is offered online and requires no campus visits. Students will complete core DNP academic classwork with peers across all DNP tracks in the College of Nursing. Content of year one courses includes:
- Leadership and DNP role changes;
- Appraisal and application of evidence to advance practice;
- Health systems and policy;
- Wellness and health promotion; and
- Population-specific care modalities.
Year 2
The second year includes track-focused classes, seminars, and clinical experiences. The DNP courses comprise distance learning methods but now also include more intensive clinical experiences and Objective Clinical Skills Exams (OSCE) [these will be administered via a technology format].
Year 3
Students will work with faculty to complete an Evidence-based Quality Improvement DNP project/product based on AACN’s The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice in collaboration with a clinical agency or organization local to the student.
In the program’s final year, students will continue intense clinical training and complete all required online course content. Learners will come to the FSU campus for a final Project Exposition; students will also complete an evaluative OSCE and comprehensive exit exam prior to graduation.
How to Apply
*States where we can and cannot accept students
Complete the Florida State University Graduate application. Upload all required admissions documents to the application.
FALL ADMISSION
APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 1st
Florida State University Graduate Application
Application Requirements
1.BSN degree from a nationally accredited program with an upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher or hold an MSN in a Nurse Practitioner track and be a nationally certified APRN with a graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher
2. Applicants that already hold an MSN degree must submit proof of clinical hours completed for the MSN program (Send summary of clinical hours from Typhon or contact the institution that awarded the MSN and have them email a letter to the College of Nursing stating the total of clinical hours completed for the program)
3. Applicants that already hold an MSN degree must submit copies of course syllabi for Adv. Pathophysiology, Adv. Health Assessment, Adv. Pharmacology and any course they wish to transfer to the DNP program. If an applicant does not have the required discrete courses, they will required to complete them during the program.
4. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*
6. Unencumbered and unrestricted APRN license.
7. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
8. Current CV or resume.
GRE/MAT Waiver Criteria
The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria:
- A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution.
- A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution.
Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied.
Applicants with a competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.
For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no GPA assigned) the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.
For more information on Graduate application process, contact Student Services at grad-info@nursing.fsu.edu
For information regarding Tuition and Fees, visit https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu/tuition-fees
National Certifications
After completing the PMHNP track, students are eligible to sit for the PMHNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
