The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) clinical specialty prepares nurses to conduct comprehensive assessments and utilize a range of psychobiological interventions. Students gain biological, neurological, pharmacological and physiological knowledge.

The PMHNP clinical nursing course sequence focuses on: psychiatric assessment, triage, and crisis intervention; biopsychological models of mental health and illness; theory and practice with individual interest (e.g., addictions, eating and sleep disorders, gender issues, HIV/AIDS, major psychiatric illnesses, violence) and with clinical populations of interest.

Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to take the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

Please note: The equivalent of one full-time year of RN experience in a psychiatric mental health setting is required prior to the start of the clinical course sequence.

Learn more about this career path in a episode of our Nightintales podcast