Why Study Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The graduate nursing program at APSU prepares graduates to make significant contributions to the overall improvement of health and essential professional practice standards in a variety of settings.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration prepares nurses to deliver care and improve mental health outcomes for individuals and families across the lifespan. Graduates of this program will be able to assess, diagnose, prescribe medications and evaluate care for the mental health needs of individuals and families. Graduates from APSU’s accredited program are eligible and prepared to sit for the PMHNP specialty certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and to apply for licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
The demand for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) is rising. Graduates from the program positively impact the mental health and well-being of the patients they serve.
The 42-hour curriculum (with 540 required clinical hours) is designed with the working professional nurse in mind and primarily delivered online. There are two required on-campus visits designed to enhance learning, practice hands-on skills, and professional networking/socialization.
The APSU Graduate Nursing Program strives to have a personal relationship with its students and to offer an affordable pathway to graduate nursing education.
Faculty who teach the PMHNP concentration have many years experience in graduate nursing education and clinical practice. Faculty possess the credentials and experiences to effectively educate and mentor students in their advanced nursing role.
Admission Requirements
For information related to admission requirements or to view the courses within each program, please visit the graduate bulletin. To apply for admission, click
What will I learn
- Psychiatric Mental Health
- Mental Health Promotion
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychiatric/Mental Health Disorders
- Population Health
- Health Care Policy
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Interprofessional Collaboration
Sample Course Plan
Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, MSN
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students should be aware that licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. Licensing agencies or boards also may have requirements in addition to an earned degree. APSU recommends that students who are not Tennessee residents or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee contact the appropriate licensing agency or board before they enroll in an academic program designed to lead to licensure or certification and discuss their plans with an advisor.
Please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage to review specific licensure information for your state and academic program.