Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)
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Salve Regina University's online psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate is an accessible and intensive program for professionals who hold an M.S. in nursing and are seeking to provide advanced care in a variety of settings, including independent practice. Through didactic and experiential learning, we build on your previous training to provide preparation for national certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Address a Growing Mental Health Crisis
Today's health care providers are faced with immense mental health issues presenting in populations from pediatric to geriatric. Salve Regina's post-master's certificate program addresses a growing need for nurse practitioners who can provide high-quality mental health care across the lifespan.
Our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program is delivered online in a thoughtful blend of live and self-paced courses, offering the flexibility required for working adults while also fostering personal connections with faculty and peers that are the hallmark of the Salve Regina experience. We utilize academic and clinical settings to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide holistic, innovative and comprehensive mental health care.
A skills-based colloquium on campus is required when students reach the clinical portion of the course sequence. After completing 30 credits of coursework and a minimum of 750 clinical hours, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Qualified graduates are also eligible to progress seamlessly into our Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Program format
Online
Eight courses (30 credits)
Application deadline
Rolling admission
Fall, spring and summer starts available
Average time to complete
20-24 months
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Salve Regina's psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate is designed for registered nurses who hold a master's degree from an accredited institution. Students complete eight courses (30 credits) and a minimum of 750 direct, supervised clinical hours across the lifespan. After earning the post-master's certificate, graduates are prepared to sit for the national certification examination for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
Required Courses
NUR542: Advanced Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of pharmacological treatments used for psychiatric and mental health conditions. The course includes an examination of the various classes of psychotropic medications, psycho-genomics and prescriptive authority across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NUR535: Pharmacologic Principles for Advanced Practice Nursing
NUR546: Assessment, Diagnostics, Evaluation and Psychotherapies
This course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of mental health in the integration of psychotherapies. Topics include assessment tools, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic testing and evaluation process to develop a comprehensive plan of care within mental health.
NUR554: Advanced Leadership in Health Care
This course explores management and organizational leadership for advanced practice nurses within the health care system. Students examine health care policy, organizational assessment, effective communication, conflict resolution, diversity in the workplace and quality improvement initiatives impacting health care and different populations.
NUR558: Psychogenomics, Psychopharmacology Management and Counseling
This course focuses on mental health diagnostics, therapeutic modalities and patient management. Topics include diagnosis interpretation, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology treatments and management of mental health conditions across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NUR546: Assessment, Diagnostics, Evaluation and Psychotherapies
NUR568: Mental Health Across the Lifespan
This course focuses on advanced practice nursing interventions in mental health care across the lifespan. Topics such as informed consent, confidentiality and ethical rights are integrated with plans of care. Students also explore a comprehensive evaluation of family and individual dynamics to enhance mental health outcomes.
Prerequisite: NUR558: Psychogenomics, Psychopharmacology Management and Counseling
NUR570: Clinical I
This course focuses on the role of the advanced practice nurse in managing mental health care across the lifespan. Students apply interviewing techniques to gather a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. They integrate mental health promotion, psychoeducation, illness prevention and management strategies. Students devote approximately 10 hours per week to direct-supervised patient care.
Prerequisite: NUR558: Psychogenomics, Psychopharmacology Management and Counseling
NUR575: Clinical II
This course focuses on the role of the advanced practice nurse in coordinating and managing complex mental health care across the lifespan. Students emphasize the assessment, diagnosis, management and education of mental health disorders. They integrate mental health promotion, psychoeducation, illness prevention and management strategies. Students devote approximately 20 hours per week to direct-supervised patient care.
Prerequisite: NUR570: Clinical I
NUR580: Clinical III
This course focuses on the role of the advanced practice nurse in coordinating and managing complex mental health care across the lifespan. Students emphasize the implementation of assessment, diagnosis, management, interprofessional care and education of mental health disorders. Students devote approximately 20 hours per week to direct-supervised patient care.
Prerequisite: NUR575: Clinical II
Our Faculty
Recognized for their expertise, compassion and vast knowledge, our nursing faculty encourage students to continue their development as health care providers and members of the global health partnership.
Payment
Options
Courses are billed individually at the start of each class. Please note that there is a $60 registration fee per semester.
Tuition
Reimbursement
If your employer is paying all or part of your tuition, we will arrange payment directly from your employer where possible. Learn more.
Student
Loans
Our certificate programs are eligible for federal student loans. To qualify, you must complete two courses per semester. Learn more.
Military and
Veterans
Salve Regina is approved for veterans’ benefits and has been named a Military Friendly School. Learn more.
The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, post-master's certificate in family nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Salve Regina are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. These programs are also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.