Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Graduate Certificate

The Post- Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program prepares those with a Master’s of Science in Nursing to care for individuals and families with behavioral and mental problems. The program has two tracks: 1) for those who are not nationally certified and licensed as an APRN, and 2) for those who are nationally certified and licensed as an APRN.

This advanced practice role prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, intervene (e.g. psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy), and provide follow-up to facilitate ongoing levels of wellness. The PMHNP is prepared to provide psychiatric and mental health care in a variety of treatment settings (e.g. hospitals, jails, home care, and outpatient clinics) and participate with other members of the health care team. With a shortage of mental health professionals and increasing demand for expert mental health care in rural health settings, the PMHNPs scope of practice brings critically relevant skills needed to care for persons experiencing the full range of psychiatric and mental health problems.

Note: Students who are enrolled in this program solely are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Create a systematic approach to clinical reasoning based on best evidence, research, and knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to make decisions which optimize the health of populations and the delivery of care across a range of sociocultural settings.
Role model communication strategies and teamwork to intentionally collaborate with interprofessional teams, individuals, groups, and populations across a range of sociocultural settings to advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive care in professional environments.
Evaluate quality improvement principles, standards, methods, and strategies to identify health and systems problems and translate evidence-based change in practice settings.
Analyze systematic processes across settings using evidenced-based strategies and standards, to promote a just culture of safety, and to prevent or minimize risk to self, patients, and environment.
Appraise health care technology, data, and information literacy, while considering risks and ethical requirements, to plan, implement, and evaluate person and population-centered care and assist in system-wide best practice decisions in a variety of settings.
Integrate person and population centered care that is respectful of differing sociocultural needs based on best evidence, clinical judgment, and sound legal/ethical principles to maximize health for diverse individuals, groups and populations.
Expand professional identity through leadership and advocacy that promotes the needs of self, individuals, groups and populations and the nursing profession while improving the healthcare system.

Contact Information

Stephanie S. DeBoor, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
Assistant Professor
(775) 682-7156
deboors2@unr.edu

Dr. Cameron Duncan DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
cgeneduncan@unr.edu

University of Nevada, Reno
Orvis School of Nursing
1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0134
Reno, NV 89557

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet both the University’s Graduate School requirements and the Orvis School of Nursing MSN requirements. Applicants should begin by completing an application to the University’s Graduate School for an advanced graduate certificate in the specialty of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

The deadline for fall admission is March 1 for the PMHNP Advanced Degree (Post-Master’s) Certificate. Students are notified of admission, denial, or waitlist status by April 15th for fall admission.

Prerequisites for admission:

Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited academic institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Have verification of current, unencumbered licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. Students must be eligible to practice as a registered nurse in Nevada.
Submit the following with application to the Graduate School at the University of Nevada, Reno:
- A resume’ or vitae that includes education, professional employment and/or community service experience.
- A letter of intent should be single spaced, 12-point font, and no longer than 1,000 words. It should include the following information:
  - Explain why you have chosen the University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School of Nursing for your graduate studies.
  - Share which track (AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, EDU, CNL, Pediatric Acute Care NP or PMHNP) you have chosen to pursue and describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an inter-professional team.
  - Describe leadership experiences, both professional and personal, that have prepared you for graduate studies.
- Three letters of recommendation.

An interview may be required.

I. Program Requirements (23-38 units)

The total of required units for completing the certificate varies according to the previous coursework and successful completion of the 3 P’s (Advanced Physical/Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology). The minimum number of required units for completion of the Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate is 23-38 units. With graduate advisor approval, Post-Master’s PMHNP students may apply more than 3 S/U units to the units required.

Applicants who plan to apply graduate-level credit earned at another university to the University of Nevada, Reno may be able to satisfy specific course requirements in the nursing program. Applicants must provide specific course information for review to determine if the transferred courses are equivalent to university requirements. If approved, such courses may be included in the official program of study.

A. Non-APRN Track (29-38 units)

NURS 701 - Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)
NURS 702 - Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health (3 units)
NURS 703 - Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individuals & Groups (3 units)
NURS 704 - Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Group and Family (3 units)
NURS 716 - Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 units) (if not previously completed in MSN studies)
NURS 717 - Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units) (if not previously completed in MSN studies)
NURS 721 - Assessment & Management in PMH Settings: Clinical Practicum (1 to 12 units)
NURS 722 - Interventions and Treatment Planning within PMH Settings (3 units)
NURS 723 - Advanced Therapeutic Interventions within PMH Settings (3 units)
NURS 724 - Advanced Management of Patient and Systems within PMH Settings (3 units)
NURS 726 - MH Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents (2 units)
NURS 727 - Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult (2 units)
NURS 730 - Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Clients (1 unit)
NURS 750 - Advanced Health Assessment (3 units) (if not previously completed in MSN studies)

Program of Study

Note(s):

*Providing review of transcripts represents completion of core coursework (“3 Ps”) from Full-time plan of study. Otherwise students will complete NURS 717 and NURS 750 the first year fall semester and NURS 716 the first spring semester.