Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP

A Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) DNP program prepares students at the highest level of nursing practice to excel in both the clinical field and as health care leaders. The program involves several courses and clinical practicum that are specific to management of psychiatric conditions. The courses specific to DNP leadership prepare students to look at health care issues on a global level and prepare them to address these through structured evaluation and program implementation as demonstrated by successful completion of a DNP project.

After passing the board exam, graduates initiate the process of obtaining a license in the state(s) where they intend to practice. With telepsychiatry becoming more commonplace in practice, PMHNPs are frequently getting licensed in multiple states. Graduates also begin looking for jobs. The process for this is typically starts while working on state licensure. Several of our graduates pursue residencies/fellowships as a way to start their PMHNP careers.

For part-time students with bachelor’s degrees, the program takes about four years to complete. For part-time students with master’s degrees, the program takes about three years to complete.

PMHNPs can be prepared through both master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, though Rush University only provides a doctoral program. While both educational levels can practice, there has been discussion about moving the minimum education level to the doctorate level in the future. Most states also require PMHNPs to be board certified prior to practicing.

You can find all information related to admissions requirements, including prerequisites and guidelines, on the program’s Admissions page.

The program is fully online. There are not any in-person requirements, but there are synchronous course requirements that students are expected to attend virtually. As one example, in one of the psychiatric management courses, students complete a psychiatric evaluation on a simulated patient via telehealth facilitated by Rush’s Simulation Lab.

Clinical experience in psychiatry is highly recommended for Rush’s competitive PMHNP DNP program. What that experience looks like can vary from applicant to applicant. Many of our students start the program with formal psychiatric experience such as working in an inpatient psychiatric unit or as community-based mental health nurses. But others have more unique experience, such as working as nurses in emergency departments’ psych pods or having history in different psychiatric roles (i.e., therapists, social workers) prior to entering the nursing field.

Students who complete Rush University’s program will be eligible for a lifespan PMHNP board certification which is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The “lifespan” designation allows PMHNPs to see patients across the full lifespan, from children and adolescents through older adults.

You can find information on application deadlines and how to apply on the program’s Admissions page. You can also apply now if you’re ready.