Program Overview

Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) in Psychiatric-Mental Health

The Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) in Psychiatric-Mental Health program is designed to prepare students to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. This program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to progress to MSN-level coursework.

Program Requirements

• The RN to MSN program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses (15 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• The "bridge" courses include:
  • PHIL 301: Ethics (3 hours)
  • or PHIL 201: Philosophy of Human Nature
  • NURS 320: Stats for Health Professions (3 hours)
  • NURS 406: Nursing Research (3 hours)
  • NURS 463: Community Health (3 hours)
  • NURS 464: Community Health Practicum (3 hours)
• Total hours for "bridge" courses: 15

Graduate (MSN) Courses

• Achievement of a grade of B or better is expected in graduate studies.
• Students who successfully complete the "bridge" courses with a minimum grade of "C" and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 progress directly to the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare MSN-level courses.

Required Core Courses for All MSN NP Tracks

• All core courses are offered online and must be completed for each of the specialty NP tracks.
• These courses provide the theoretical foundation for role development and expose students to concepts and issues that undergird all areas of advanced nursing practice.
• Courses include content in health policy analysis and development, information management, evidence-based practice, and leadership.
• Required core courses:
  • NURS 561: Information Technology and Data Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 562: Theory and Foundation of Healthcare Improvement (3 hours)
  • NURS 563: Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety (3 hours)
  • NURS 564: Contemporary Healthcare Environment (3 hours)
  • NURS 565: Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations (3 hours)
• Total hours for core courses: 15

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track

• This track prepares students to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
• Students are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients.
• The PMHNP core courses are offered online.
• When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the three practicum courses and two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of five on-campus immersions).
• These immersions are two days in length.
• Students will have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each of the three specialty practicum courses.
• Additional site visits are arranged as needed.
• Students may only be admitted if they reside in one of the ten western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
• Course list:
  • NURS 523: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 hours)
  • NURS 524: Advanced Pharmacology (3 hours)
  • NURS 600: Advanced Health Assessment (3 hours)
  • NURS 601: Advanced Health Assessment Practicum I (1 hour)
  • NURS 652M: Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts I (3 hours)
  • NURS 653M: Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts II (3 hours)
  • NURS 654M: Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts III (3 hours)
  • NURS 670: Psychopharmacology (3 hours)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum (600 hours):
  • Select ten credits from the following:
    • NURS 661M: Psych-Mental Health Practicum I
    • NURS 662M: Psych-Mental Health Practicum II
    • NURS 663M: Psych-Mental Health Practicum III
    • NURS 683M: Psyc-Mental Health Practicum Extension (if needed)
• Total hours for the PMHNP track: 47 credits (including core)