Masters to DNP/PMHNP Certification: Robert Morris University Masters to DNP/PMHNP Certification | Robert Morris University

Masters to DNP/PMHNP Certification

Post-Master’s/ Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certification/ Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Completion Program

For nurse practitioners interested in obtaining a second certification as a PMHNP and a doctoral degree, the Post-Master’s/ Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certification/DNP Completion program provides this option. The doctoral courses are delivered in a fully online format. The courses in the PMHNP certification are delivered 1 day per week throughout the semester via video teleconferencing. This program emphasizes skills in differential diagnosis and management, including both pharmacology and psychotherapy, in addition to emphasizing working in interdisciplinary teams and implementing evidence-based practice findings into delivery of care.

Educational Objectives

The Post-Master’s/Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certification/DNP Completion Program is designed to prepare certified registered PMHNPs who:

  1. Utilize expert communication and leadership skills with interdisciplinary teams to ensure quality of care of patients experiencing mental illness;
  2. Employ clinical reasoning at the highest level of nursing practice to aid in the differential diagnosis of both medical and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, in collaboration with other health care professionals;
  3. Utilize pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and complementary interventions using an evidence-based practice approach in the provision of treatment to individuals across the life span experiencing acute and chronic psychiatric disorders;
  4. Engage proactively in the development and implementation of health policy in relation to mental health;
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of standards and principles for selecting and evaluating information systems and patient care technology;
  6. Function as team leaders to facilitate collaborative, interprofessional teamwork to ensure safe, patient-centered care;
  7. Use evidence-based practice health promotion findings, related to clinical prevention and population health, to improve the health status of the U.S. population; and
  8. Demonstrate culturally competent care in the provision of treatment to individuals experiencing acute and chronic psychiatric disorders across the life span.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the Post-Master’s/Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certification/DNP Completion Program, applicants must have:

  • A master of science degree in nursing from an accredited college or university
  • Unencumbered NP/APRN license
  • A minimum graduate QPA of 3.25 or acceptable GRE scores
  • Current RN licensure
  • At least one year of work experience as an RN
  • Current CV or resume
  • Essay on goals and expectations for education and career
  • A faculty interview
  • 2 professional letters of recommendations

 

Masters to DNP/PMHNP Certification with Summer Start

  Course Credits Hours
Year 1 – Summer Semester
Principles of Biological Psychiatry NURS 9010 2  
Health Assessment of Children & Adolescents* NURS 9120 2  
Health Assessment of Children & Adolescents Practicum* NURS 9125 1 56
Year 1 – Fall Semester
Psychopharmacology NURS 9110 3  
Psychiatric Diagnosis NURS 9210 3  
Psychiatric Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Practicum for the APRN NURS 9230 2 112
Year 1 – Spring Semester
Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan I NURS 9310 3  
Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan I Practicum for the APRN NURS 9340 2 112
Clinical Teams & Teamwork II HSIC 8120 2  
Principles of Epidemiology NURS 8030 2  
Year 2 – Summer Semester
Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Individuals NURS 9330 2  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Individuals Practicum NURS 9335 2 112
Health Care Economics HSIC 8030 2  
Year 2 – Fall Semester
Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan II NURS 9320 3  
Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan II Practicum for the APRN NURS 9350 2 112
Research & Theory NURS 8020 3  
Applied Statistics for EBP NURS 8050 3  
Year 2 – Spring Semester
Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Families NURS 9510 2  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Families Practicum NURS 9515 2 112
Integrating Research & Practice NURS 8150 3  
Year 3 – Summer Semester
EBP for Advanced Nursing Roles NURS 8140 3  
Year 3 – Fall Semester
Health Policy HSIC 8020 2  
EBP & Information Systems NURS 9130 3  
Year 3 – Spring Semester
Practice Management Issues/Role Integration NURS 9610 3  
Applying Evidence Based Practice in Health Care NURS 9620 5  
  TOTAL 59/62* 560/616*

* FNPs will not take Health Assessment of Children and Adolescents