Mental Health Nurse degree

The Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program was established in 2004. It has enjoyed a high certification exam passage rate since its inception, preparing students for success as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

In keeping with the changes of advanced practice nursing education, the online nursing program was redesigned to meet the requirements of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensing, Accreditation, Certification, and Education, which states all PMHNP programs, must educate the students using a lifespan approach to diagnosis and treatment of clients. The EKU Online program is designed to provide the convenience of online learning while maintaining the quality and rigor necessary for the student to become an extremely competent and confident Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner upon graduation. View the curriculum and course descriptions below.

Curriculum

Practicum Courses (15 hours)

In addition, students must complete a minimum of 7 hours of NSC 800 to meet clinical clock hour requirement.

Total Hours: 39 hours + 7 hours of NSC 800

Fall Start Plan

Unless otherwise noted, each course is 8 weeks in length.

Spring Start Plan

Summer Start Plan

NSC 800 Advanced Practice

(1-6 hours) A. Advanced practice clinical experience. Students will retake for the minimum number of hours required for their specialty option.

NSC 880 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

I. (2 hours) A. Prerequisites: NSC 830, 832, 834, 840, and MPH 855, each with a minimum grade of B. Corequisites: NSC 800 and 881. Theoretical and diagnostic knowledge necessary to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders across the life span. Competencies in working with individuals are developed.

NSC 881 Applied Psychopharmacology

(2 hours) A. Prerequisite: NSC 830, NSC 832, and NSC 834, each with a minimum grade of B. Corequisite: NSC 880. Applies theoretical and diagnostic knowledge related to prescribing psychopharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders across the life span.

NSC 882 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) II

(2 hours) A. Prerequisite: NSC 880 and 881, each with a minimum grade of B. Corequisite: NSC 800. Theoretical and diagnostic knowledge necessary to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders across the life span. Competencies in working with families are developed.

NSC 884 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) III

(3 hours) A. Prerequisite: NSC 882 with a minimum grade of B. Corequisite: NSC 800. Theoretical and diagnostic knowledge necessary to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders across the life span. Group skills, community resources and the context of professional practice are examined.