Program of Study - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Purpose

The post Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing is designed as a specialty within graduate nursing education to include programming that will assist a student to acquire advanced knowledge and clinical skills to provide best practice and comprehensive care to clients across the lifespan. The course work and practicum will focus on a range of mental health care needs of individuals and families whether in outpatient, inpatient or private practice settings. The foundation for advanced practice is focused on content included in core courses in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapuetics and health assessments. Retrieved from http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3292

Graduate Outcomes

The major outcomes of the graduate programs are to develop the ability to:

1. Function as a scholar with critical thinking skills supported by theories from the behavioral, physical, and nursing sciences
2. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in the application of client/patient care interventions, incorporating informatics and health care technology to improve population health care outcomes
3. Collaborate as a member of an inter-professional health care team to advocate for safe and effective client/patient care, being cognizant of cultural, societal, economic, political, and ethicolegal issues
4. Promote quality improvement in the provision of culturally competent care to diverse populations through integration of health policy, planned programs, education, and advocacy
5. Translate and integrate scholarship and research into masters-level practice that is grounded in the sciences and humanities

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty Outcomes

The student successfully completing the post Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner will be able to:

1. Apply theories, research and conceptual models from nursing and related disciplines to facilitate best practice and clinical decision-making.
2. Integrate the use of communication skills, information systems, technology and systematic reviews in relation to client management across the lifespan
3. Develop collaborative and interdisciplinary relationships and partnerships that are critical in best practice health care environments.
4. Demonstrate leadership, ethical decision-making and safe practice in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and evaluation of health care delivery across the lifespan.
5. Provide leadership in human resources development, education, and management to improve nursing care across diverse populations.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner graduate certificate, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

1. Master of Science in Nursing
2. Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Practitioner.
3. Successful completion of graduate-level courses in physical assessment, pharmacotherapuetics and pathophysiology
4. Licensed as a Registered Nurse in their state of residence
5. Cleared Criminal Background Check
6. Evidence of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of Heath for student in health-related academic programs

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required PMHNP Practice Courses (18 Credits)

NURS 6260	Theoretical Diagnostics for Mental and Substance Use Disorders	2
NURS 6261	Clinical Diagnostics for Mental and Substance Use Disorders	2
NURS 6475	PMHNP I: Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Theory	4
NURS 6476	PMHNP II: Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Practice	4
NURS 6620	PMHNP 3: Clinical Therapeutics/Preceptorship	6

Total Credit Hours: 18