Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn to deliver innovative, quality mental health care

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Lifespan track uses a wide range of advanced practice learning experiences to prepare you in the assessment, diagnosis, clinical management, and prevention of mental illness across the lifespan.

As a PMHNP, you will make important and unique contributions to health care by developing innovative, quality patient care that is more cost-efficient; collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate healthcare services in order to restore wellness; and managing research protocols and developing research utilization projects.

You will develop the skills necessary for work in case management, professional leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of healthcare settings including:

Community mental health centers
Ambulatory care settings
Government agencies
Private group practice
Hospital settings

Courses in this track include online, hybrid, and hybrid-distance formats, with some on-campus requirements. The degree can be completed on a three-year, part-time plan of study, or—if space in the program allows—a two-year, full-time plan of study.

Certification

Graduates are eligible to sit for American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan). Additionally, as an advanced practice nurse, you will qualify to apply for prescriptive authority from the Indiana Licensing Board.

MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Nursing Theory I	NURS-N502	3
This course focuses on analyzing the relationships between theory and research for effective translation to practice. Emphasis is placed on selection and evaluation of theories, interprofessional perspectives, and using theory to guide practice and research.
Nursing Research Methods I	NURS-R500	3
This course emphasizes using research findings as a basis for clinical and organization decision-making in the delivery of high quality evidence-based health care. Emphasis is placed on identifying clinical problems and searching, appraising, and synthesizing research evidence for application or, in the absence of evidence, generating new knowledge using research methods. Strategies for disseminating findings across inter-professional contexts and monitoring continuous quality improvement are examined.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice	NURS-N504	3
This course addresses organizational and leadership knowledge and skills required to advance health outcomes and influence policy. Key leadership issues and challenges affecting advanced practice nurses will be examined and effective leadership and advocacy skills will be applied.
Measurement and Data Analysis	NURS-R505	3
Principles and applications of scientific measurement, data summarization, inferential statistics, and practical derivations of the general linear model. Considers the research purpose and the phenomenon under study as determinants of measurement techniques and data analysis.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y625	4
This course prepares graduate students to perform individualized health histories and physical examinations for clients across the lifespan.
Total		4

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Substance Use/Abuse and Co-Morbid Disorders Across the Lifespan	NURS-P675	3
This course presents advanced concepts of substance use. Specific content of the course explores complex biology of psychoactive substances focusing on stimulants, depressants, inhalants, etc. along with substance use/abuse prevention and prevalence. Examines psychological and sociological theories to explain substance use/abuse. Explores policies on substance use/abuse and Medication Assisted Therapy.
Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y612	3
This course prepares graduate students to understand the principles of advanced pharmacology across the lifespan as it relates to advanced nursing practice.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Neuro-Psychopharmacology	NURS-P510	3
Content is derived from neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on the synthesis of knowledge of the interaction of neurobiological processes, underlying psychopathology and pharmacological interventions that are indicated for treatment and management of mental illness.
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y515	3
Provides advanced comprehensive, scientific foundation for pathophysiology of selected disorders and diseases for clients across the lifespan. Clinical case studies integrate the principles of pathophysiology within advanced practice nursing principles.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		75
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP I Across the Lifespan	NURS-P677	4
This course builds on advance health assessment knowledge with emphasis on the advanced psychiatric assessment. Utilizes individual and family frameworks, theories, research findings, and cultural perspectives. Experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists, and other related mental-health providers provide learning experiences in clinical practicum. Includes introductory professional role socialization. 75 clinical hours.
Total		4

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP II Across the Lifespan	NURS-P680	5
This course builds on PMHNP I and provides further theoretical foundations and clinical practicum for population-based mental health care. Emphasis on assessment, diagnoses, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatments of evidence-based outcomes. Integrates theoretical knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention to achieve optimal health outcomes. Includes intermediary professional role socialization. 225 clinical hours.
Total		5

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP I Across the Lifespan	NURS-P682	5
This course builds on PMHNP II and provides continuing theoretical foundations and clinical practicum for population-based mental health care. Emphasis expanded to include integrative health and mental health policy. Integrates theoretical knowledge of group dynamics and the development of evidence-based therapeutic strategies. Includes ethical and legal professional role socialization. 225 clinical hours.
Total		5

MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Nursing Theory I	NURS-N502	3
This course focuses on analyzing the relationships between theory and research for effective translation to practice. Emphasis is placed on selection and evaluation of theories, interprofessional perspectives, and using theory to guide practice and research.
Nursing Research Methods I	NURS-R500	3
This course emphasizes using research findings as a basis for clinical and organization decision-making in the delivery of high quality evidence-based health care. Emphasis is placed on identifying clinical problems and searching, appraising, and synthesizing research evidence for application or, in the absence of evidence, generating new knowledge using research methods. Strategies for disseminating findings across inter-professional contexts and monitoring continuous quality improvement are examined.
Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y612	3
This course prepares graduate students to understand the principles of advanced pharmacology across the lifespan as it relates to advanced nursing practice.
Total		9

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Neuro-Psychopharmacology	NURS-P510	3
Content is derived from neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on the synthesis of knowledge of the interaction of neurobiological processes, underlying psychopathology and pharmacological interventions that are indicated for treatment and management of mental illness.
Measurement and Data Analysis	NURS-R505	3
Principles and applications of scientific measurement, data summarization, inferential statistics, and practical derivations of the general linear model. Considers the research purpose and the phenomenon under study as determinants of measurement techniques and data analysis.
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y515	3
Provides advanced comprehensive, scientific foundation for pathophysiology of selected disorders and diseases for clients across the lifespan. Clinical case studies integrate the principles of pathophysiology within advanced practice nursing principles.
Total		9

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		75
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP I Across the Lifespan	NURS-P677	4
This course builds on advance health assessment knowledge with emphasis on the advanced psychiatric assessment. Utilizes individual and family frameworks, theories, research findings, and cultural perspectives. Experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists, and other related mental-health providers provide learning experiences in clinical practicum. Includes introductory professional role socialization. 75 clinical hours.
Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y625	4
This course prepares graduate students to perform individualized health histories and physical examinations for clients across the lifespan.
Total		8

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Substance Use/Abuse and Co-Morbid Disorders Across the Lifespan	NURS-P675	3
This course presents advanced concepts of substance use. Specific content of the course explores complex biology of psychoactive substances focusing on stimulants, depressants, inhalants, etc. along with substance use/abuse prevention and prevalence. Examines psychological and sociological theories to explain substance use/abuse. Explores policies on substance use/abuse and Medication Assisted Therapy.
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP II Across the Lifespan	NURS-P680	5
This course builds on PMHNP I and provides further theoretical foundations and clinical practicum for population-based mental health care. Emphasis on assessment, diagnoses, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatments of evidence-based outcomes. Integrates theoretical knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention to achieve optimal health outcomes. Includes intermediary professional role socialization. 225 clinical hours.
Total		8

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice	NURS-N504	3
This course addresses organizational and leadership knowledge and skills required to advance health outcomes and influence policy. Key leadership issues and challenges affecting advanced practice nurses will be examined and effective leadership and advocacy skills will be applied.
Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP I Across the Lifespan	NURS-P682	5
This course builds on PMHNP II and provides continuing theoretical foundations and clinical practicum for population-based mental health care. Emphasis expanded to include integrative health and mental health policy. Integrates theoretical knowledge of group dynamics and the development of evidence-based therapeutic strategies. Includes ethical and legal professional role socialization. 225 clinical hours.
Total		8

Learn more

How to apply

Request more information

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn to deliver innovative, quality mental health care

Certification

MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Part Time

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track - Full Time

Year 1

Year 2

Learn more

IU School of Nursing - Resources and social media channels