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Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Fulfill the Nation’s Growing Need for Psychiatric and Mental Health Care

Mental health and physical health are inextricably connected — one can affect the other — yet nearly half of all Americans lack access to proper mental health care.*

The role of the PMHNP is to assess, diagnose and treat the mental health and substance abuse needs of patients across the life span, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Yet, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, only 4.7% of the practicing 355,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. are certified in psychiatric/mental health — the need for more is critical.

Wilkes University’s online MSN-PMHNP program offers a pathway for you to fill this need. It provides the essential skills to complete comprehensive mental health assessments and provide individual, family and group psychotherapy to treat your patients properly and with compassion. You’ll develop competence in prescribing and monitoring medications used to treat complex psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.

In this advanced practice nursing program, you’ll learn to apply discerning knowledge and critical thinking to provide evidence-based mental and behavioral health care for patients of all ages, considering culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations.

*National Institute of Mental Health

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Online PMHNP Admission Requirements

Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis and will be evaluated for admission based on the criteria for each program. These admission standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates for a more in-depth review of qualifications.

Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – PMHNP

  • Associate degree in nursing with a 3.0 GPA
  • Unencumbered RN license*
  • One year of clinical experience (by the start of the NP clinical courses)
  • Resume

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – PMHNP

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
  • Unencumbered RN license*
  • One year of clinical experience (by the start of the NP clinical courses)
  • Resume

Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate – PMHNP

  • MSN, DNP or BSN-DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
  • Unencumbered RN license*
  • Resume
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Please note that prior to beginning and continuing in any of the nursing programs with Wilkes University, you must be located in an authorized state and be licensed in the state where you intend to complete your clinical activities, per that state’s clinical requirements. Your location (which may be your state of residency) and clinical activity do not need to be in the same state, as long as Wilkes is authorized in both states.

*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.

Clinical Placement Support

Wilkes’ dedicated clinical placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that meets University and national guidelines and prepares you for success in our psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner program.

Clinical placement services are built into the program's cost so you can focus on your coursework and the core competencies you need to succeed. We partner with you to:

  • Research and find a nearby site aligned with your interest in psychiatric and mental health. 
  • Secure a preceptor to mentor and support you.
  • Organize all necessary documents and clearance requirements before the start of your clinicals.
  • Monitor your schedule and placement hours to ensure compliance.
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* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

More About Clinical Placement Support

The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future nursing career.

How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?

The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of the clinical placement process.

What Value Will the Placement Team Provide?

The Placement Team will help you identify and potentially secure quality placement sites. This process allows you to focus on the online coursework and the core competencies that will direct your placement experience. As an active participant in the placement process, providing referrals from your community increases your chances of securing quality sites and preceptors.

When Will I Receive My Placement Details?

You will receive a notification from your dedicated Placement Coordinator prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working with your preceptor directly to establish a schedule for the semester.

How Should I Prepare for Clinicals?

You are not alone in preparing for clinicals! Your Placement Coordinator will be with you through the entire process by answering your questions, providing a clinical orientation, verifying your clinical clearances and walking you through the clinical checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools and professional expectations to ensure your success throughout each rotation.

Sample Curriculum and Structure

Master of Science in Nursing — Psychiatric/Mental Health

To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.

Time to Complete
2.3 years

Courses
15 Courses

Clinical Hours
500 Hours

This course provides an overview of the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease and serves as one primary component of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making and management. The course will prepare the advanced practice nurse for interpreting changes in normal function that results in symptoms indicative of illness in patients across the lifespan. (Credits: 3)

This course provides the basic principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics for broad categories of drugs. Purpose of action, common interactions and contraindications of major drug categories are highlighted. Case studies are integrated to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of pharmacological theory in advancing nursing practice. (Credits: 3)

The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the lifespan. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients. (Prerequisites: NSG 530, NSG 533; Credits: 2)

This course is designed to introduce the advanced practice nursing student to the issues facing culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. The theory can be integrated into clinical practice for patients and families in primary care settings to promote an understanding of differences and issues that impact the comprehensive planning of healthcare services. (Credits: 2)

This course presents an overview of the full and comprehensive health assessment of patients across the life span. Emphasis on multiple aspects of assessment including physical, functional, and mental health assessment along with transcultural variations, will prepare the student for advanced nursing practice. 

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Media

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    Eugene Lucas

    Dr. Eugene Lucas

    Our PMHNP Concentration Coordinator has been elected to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as the Liaison from the state of PA. These exemplary nurse practitioner (NP) leaders will set the strategic direction for the association and play an instrumental role in guiding the profession forward.

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    Julie Knapp

    Julie Knapp

    Congratulations to Julie Knapp, one of our online MSN-AGPCNP students, who is the honored recipient of the Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) Edith Pritchard Scholarship for 2023!

More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

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Reach Out to an Admissions Counselor

We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Call us or click the link below to start the conversation. We can’t wait! 

888-413-5633
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Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

Your PSOR is the state in which you declare as your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your PSOR may include driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence.

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