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Program Overview
This flexible online psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree equips you with an in-demand skill set and provides individualized attention from caring, expert faculty. Curriculum integrates psychopathology, health policy, advanced health assessment, and clinical pharmacology. By building on your foundation of evidence-based practice and completing 500 clinical hours, you will graduate ready to work with increased autonomy as a nurse leader and mental health practitioner.
$28,850 Total Tuition
as few as 18 months Program Duration
50 Credit Hours
In this CCNE-accredited nursing master's program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to make independent, crucial judgments with authority. Specialized courses encourage you to think critically and with empathy to assess, diagnose, treat, and evaluate clients across the lifespan who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders.
You will learn the theories related to mental health nursing, prepare to provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders, and become empowered to advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes.
This MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers six starts per year, 100% online coursework, and can be completed in as few as 18 months. STU offers full- and part-time enrollment so you can choose to continue working while earning your degree. You will have access to virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), as well as discounts to board exam materials and assistance with obtaining clinical sites and preceptors.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision-making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within your chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration, and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
Potential Career Settings
- Correctional Facilities
- Behavioral Health Programs
- Residential Substance Abuse Shelters
- Outpatient Clinics
- Detox Centers
- Schools Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
Tuition
Tuition for the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The program consists of 18 courses for a total of 50 credit hours. Each course has a technology fee as noted in the below table. The total tuition shown is inclusive of the fees.
| Tuition Per Credit Hour | Technology Fee Per Course | Total Program Tuition (including fees) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $550 | $75 | $28,850 |
Students will have access to virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), as well as discounts to board exam materials.
[close-]Calendar
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 2020 | 08/22/20 | 08/10/20 | 08/14/20 | 08/16/20 | 08/17/20 |
| Fall 2 2020 | 10/17/20 | 10/05/20 | 10/09/20 | 10/11/20 | 10/12/20 |
| Spring 1 2021 | 01/09/21 | 12/28/20 | 01/01/21 | 01/03/21 | 01/04/21 |
| Spring 2 2021 | 03/13/21 | 03/01/21 | 03/05/21 | 03/07/21 | 03/08/21 |
| Summer 1 2021 | 05/15/21 | 05/03/21 | 05/07/21 | 05/09/21 | 05/10/21 |
| Summer 2 2021 | 07/03/21 | 06/21/21 | 06/25/21 | 06/27/21 | 06/28/21 |
Admissions
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program. You must possess an unencumbered FL RN license, a bachelor's degree in nursing, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended.
MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online Admission Requirements
The following criteria are used for admission to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program.
- 3.0 cumulative GPA from the degree granting institution
- Unencumbered FL RN license
- Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school
Official transcripts and all other documentation should be sent to:
St. Thomas University, Office of Admissions16401 NW 37th Ave., Mimi Dooner Hall
Miami Gardens, FL 33054-6459
Please note that this program may not currently be available in your state due to licensure requirements of your state of residence. We advise you to contact your state credentialing authority or licensing board for its specific requirements regarding licensure.
[close-]Courses
Clinical Requirements
The MSN — Psych-Mental Health NP requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four Psychiatric Management clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each: NUR 620CL, NUR 630CL, NUR 640CL, and NUR 650CL. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period, and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.
Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in Florida
- Current professional liability insurance
- Criminal background check
- Other background checks as required by clinical facilities
- Drug screening
- Basic life support (CPR) certification
- Annual physical examination
- Current immunizations
Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors
Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.
Suitable preceptors are Psych-Mental Health APRNs and licensed psychiatrists. Psychologists may not serve as preceptors. The scope of the clinicals covers medication management and psychiatric evaluation.
If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
Restrictions on Clinical Sites
We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.
MSN — Psych-Mental Health NP students can conduct their clinical hours in the private office of a licensed psychiatrist or APRN. Other suitable locations are at a mental health clinic or hospital with a licensed psychiatrist or Psych-Mental Health nurse practitioner.
You must take the following courses.
NUR 512: Role Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a forum for the student to examine the roles of the advanced practice nurse. The content will include professional practice issues for the advanced practice nurse, working independently and collaborating with other health care professionals within the multidisciplinary/multiagency team. This course will also look at the scope of practice, professional responsibilities and financial aspects of advanced practice.
NUR 501: Philosophical & Theoretical, Evidence-Based Research Basis of Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course explores nursing as an art and science and how knowledge has developed relevant to phenomena of interest. Each student will develop skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon. Throughout the course, the student will enhance the skills to translate evidence-based research into evidence-based practice, while evaluating research project outcomes through discussions. The student will acquire skills in learning interrelationships between nursing theory, research and practice along with the nature of scientific knowledge. The students will enrich their critical analysis and theory in the development of evidence-based advanced-practice nursing protocols.
NUR 502: Advanced Pathophysiology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This is a course that provides the student with the advanced understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness, disease prevention and treatment within a systems framework. Emphasis is placed on biological theories and principles that provide a basis for understanding pathophysiology as an alteration in the normal physiology functioning of subsystems from conception to end of life and the chemical agents that are capable of producing biologic responses within the body. The course uses critical thinking processes to analyze diverse client presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology and health care implications.
NUR 504: Advanced Health Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course helps students acquire knowledge and skills in the conduct of a comprehensive health assessment including the physical, psychological, social, functional and environmental aspects of health. Data collection, interpretation, documentation and dissemination of assessment data is studied. Techniques of interview, observation, percussion, palpation, inspection and auscultation in assessing clients across the life span are reviewed in simulated and actual environments.
NUR 505: Diversity in Advanced Health Practice
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Analyze the complexities of health-service delivery to diverse populations using social-ecological models to provide a deeper understanding of the impacts of health policy, social justice, structural inequities and the value systems of diverse groups as well as variables related to gender, age, lifestyle, religion, culture, social class, race and geography.
NUR 506: Influencing Health Policy
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on influencing public policy related to the health system and resources at the state/national/global level. Emphasis will be placed on how health policies are formulated, how to affect this process, and how it impacts clinical practice and health care delivery.
NUR 600: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide knowledge of pharmacokinetics that will enable the student to safely and appropriately select pharmacologic agents for the management of common acute and chronic health problems of diverse populations. Specific content of the course covers representative drugs of a pharmacologic group, indications for use, drug selection, titration of dose, key adverse effects, and monitoring of therapy and alternative therapy.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover the common psychoactive medications, classes, uses, effects, side effects, and prescriptive implications related to nursing care of clients with psychiatric mental health illness. This course provides direction for the psychiatric mental health nurse who functions in an advanced role in a variety of settings. The emphasis of the course will focus on the selection, use and monitoring of psychoactive medications and the ethical and legal considerations of psycho-pharmacology.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover an in-depth investigation of the neurobiological basis of major psychiatric illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Coursework will focus on various pathologies in psychiatry and mental health providing conceptual models and theories to the practice of psychiatric mental health nursing. The emphasis of the course will be on the different modes and the theory related to mental health nursing.
NUR 620: Psychiatric Management I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide content on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of clients across the lifespan who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders. The course focuses on learning evidence-based practice and theoretical and conceptual models for assessing, planning, and treating psychiatric disorders. The main purpose is to promote, maintain, and restore wellness across the lifespan. By the end of the course students will be prepared to provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders.
NUR 620CL: Psychiatric Management I (Clinical)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course will provide experience in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of clients across the lifespan who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders. The clinical course is founded on evidence-based practice and application of theoretical and conceptual models for assessing, planning, and treating major psychiatric disorders. The main purpose is to promote, maintain, and restore wellness across the lifespan. Throughout this clinical course, student will provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders.
NUR 630: Psychiatric Management II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to utilize group psychotherapy techniques that can be applied with groups and families. The course is based on the theoretical and conceptual models of group dynamics and founded on evidence-based practices in assessing, planning, treating, and evaluating dysfunctional patterns in group settings. Throughout this course students will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of group settings.
NUR 630CL: Psychiatric Management II (Clinical)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course provides clinical experience for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to utilize group psychotherapy techniques that can be applied with groups and families. This course is based on the theoretical and conceptual models of group dynamics and is founded on application of evidence-based practices in assessing, planning, treating, and evaluating dysfunctional patterns in group settings. Throughout this clinical course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of group settings.
NUR 640: Psychiatric Management III
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to become proficient in psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidence-based practice, and focuses on learning theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individual clients. Throughout this course students will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of settings.
NUR 640CL: Psychiatric Management III (Clinical)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student provides opportunities for application of didactic concepts to actual patient care situations experiencing psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidence-based practice and focuses on application of theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individual clients. Throughout this course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of settings.
NUR 650: Psychiatric Management IV
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to become proficient in psychiatric mental health issues that occur in adults and older adults. The course is founded on evidence-based practice, and focuses on learning theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation and treatment of major psychiatric disorders in adult and older adult clients. Throughout this course student will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in various settings.
NUR 640CL: Psychiatric Management IV (Clinical)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student provides opportunities for application of didactic concepts to actual patient care situations with adults and older adults experiencing psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidence-based practice, and focuses on application of theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation and treatment of psychiatric disorders in adult and older adult clients. Throughout this course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in various settings.
NUR 670: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Integration Practicum
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with comprehensive knowledge in psychiatric and mental health issues of clients across the life span. Students will learn how to apply knowledge obtained throughout the certification program and will identify opportunities for collaboration, consulting, and referral within the context of the advanced psychiatric mental health nursing role.
The MSN PMHNP requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each of these classes: NUR 620 Psychiatric Management I, NUR 630 Psychiatric Management II, NUR 640 Psychiatric Management III, and NUR 650 Psychiatric Management IV. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period, and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.
Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in Florida
- Current Professional Liability Insurance
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screening
- Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
- Annual Physical Examination
- Current Immunizations
Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors
Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.
If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
Restrictions on Clinical Sites
We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.
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