Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The DNP core courses provide the foundation of health care policy, evidence-based practice, leadership and systems management that prepares the advanced practice nurse to deliver optimal care in the ever-changing health care.

Students complete more than 1000 hours of clinical and simulated experiences which emphasize essential competencies to address the mental health care needs of patients and their families. Complex needs of vulnerable populations is threaded throughout the course of study. Faculty and students work collaboratively to identify clinical sites and preceptors.

This program prepares students to meet the eligibility requirements of the certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center after graduation.

CURRICULUM

• Hybrid of online and offline learning
• Attend full time or part time (and work while you attend school)
• Interactive web-based classes taught by experienced online instructors
• Capstone/practice project completed in your area of expertise
• Opportunity to study with faculty who are practice experts

• Scientific/Social/Psychological Foundation: Integrates and applies nursing and foundational sciences to effectively practice in complex, evolving healthcare systems
• Safe Quality Care Within Healthcare Systems: Analyze and effect quality outcomes in healthcare system
• Evidenced Based Practice/Research: Improve healthcare outcomes with application of evidence in the healthcare environment
• Health Care Technology/Informatics: Analyzes and facilitates the use of information systems/ technology to monitor and improve patient care outcomes and healthcare systems.
• Health Care Policy: Analyzes the multiple levels of policy to advocate for issues which have actual or potential impact on nursing and healthcare outcomes.
• Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication: Employs strategies to lead develop and contribute toward productive interprofessional teams for the improvement of healthcare outcomes.
• Population Health: Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, synthesize and apply theory, models, and research to impact health care of diverse populations.
• Professional Practice: Utilizes the competencies of an advanced practice expert to design, implement and evaluate evidence based care within specialty.
• Evaluate and apply theories and research findings to the advanced practice of nursing.
• Collaborate with health care providers and consumers to design and initiate strategies to influence the nature and outcomes of health care services.
• Engage in advanced practice based on legal and ethical principles and professional standards of practice.
• Assume a leadership role in identifying and resolving issues that have an actual or potential impact on nursing and health care.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills of an advanced practice nurse in a variety of client care situations.
• Continue to acquire knowledge and skills required to maintain and enhance advanced practice expertise.