Program Overview

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Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

About

This four semester, 28-credit post master's advanced certificate program prepares graduate-degree nurses to become advanced practice nurses in psychiatric mental health. This practice specialty includes management of patients across the lifespan with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions. Building upon the existing skill set of the graduate-prepared registered nurse, the four-semester sequence provides family theory, health promotion, nurse practitioner role, and psychiatric-mental health assessment, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic management skills. Successful completion of the program meets the national certification board eligibility requirements.

The online Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program uses a variety of teaching strategies designed to actively engage students. Two-day orientation sessions are held on campus before the beginning of each fall semester to enhance the connections among students and with the nursing faculty. This certificate has mandatory on-campus sessions throughout the program. Program start is contingent on class size.

APRN Student Clinical Placement Information

UNLV School of Nursing guarantees clinical placements in Nevada in the greater Las Vegas Metro area to students who hold a valid Nevada RN license. Out-of-state students located in Alaska, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, or Utah must hold a valid RN license in the state and jurisdiction in which they intend to complete their program. Students are encouraged to partner with the School of Nursing in identifying potential preceptors and clinical practice experiences in their local community in one of those states. The UNLV School of Nursing must review and approve all out-of-state and out of the Las Vegas metro area preceptors and clinical sites. UNLV ensures adequate physical resources and clinical sites are available in Nevada to achieve the program's mission, goals, and expected outcomes for all admitted students. UNLV strives to approve student recommended out-of-state/out of the Las Vegas Metro area quality clinical practice experiences and preceptors; however, UNLV offers no guarantees for out-of-state/out of the Las Vegas metro area clinical placements and preceptors and/or assistance in finding out-of- state/out of the Las Vegas metro area placement sites and preceptors. If an out-of-state/out of the Las Vegas metro area student is unable to secure a UNLV approved preceptor and/or site in his/her home community (Alaska, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma or Utah), the student is expected to acquire a Nevada RN license, relocate to the greater Las Vegas metro area, and the UNLV School of Nursing will assign him/her a preceptor and clinical site in the Las Vegas area (up to 75-miles from UNLV within NV state lines).

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

• Competently assess, diagnose, prescribe, evaluate and create a holistic plan of mental health treatment.
• Articulate the professional role, which includes the ethical code of conduct and scope of advanced practice of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
• Develop and monitor comprehensive, holistic plans of care that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of diverse psychiatric mental health client populations.
• Assess and monitor teaching/learning needs in a diverse psychiatric mental health client population.
• Practice ethically in the conduct of research, management, and clinical professional practice.

Requirements

Plan Description

Individuals who already have a graduate degree in nursing and meet the admission qualifications will be allowed to take courses as an advanced graduate certificate-seeking student. A certificate will be awarded, documenting completion of the course work will be provided and transcripts showing completion of the courses will be available. Each individual applicant will be evaluated to determine the courses required in order to complete the specific certificate program. Additional courses beyond the minimum courses needed for the certificate program may be required if the applicant's earned graduate degree in nursing lacks courses required by the UNLV School of Nursing.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Application Deadlines: Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

• Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
• Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
  • Advanced Certificates require a regionally accredited Master's degree.
• Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
• All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
  • Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Department Admission Requirements

• Transcripts must show coursework in Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology. Additionally, if unofficial transcripts are available to the student, please upload to the application. Nursing course work must have been completed at a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Three letters of recommendation from either instructors or employers that speak to the applicant's potential to complete the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Current valid unencumbered and unrestricted RN license in state of residence.
• Statement of 300 words describing the students' professional goals and reason for seeking a nurse practitioner certificate.
• Interviews may be required.
• All applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Seat Holding Fee

A one-time, non-refundable deposit of $500 is required as a seat holding fee. This deposit will be credited towards tuition costs once admissions acceptance has been completed.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 28

Course Requirements

• Complete 28 credits by completing all of the following courses:
  • NURS 701 - Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision Making for the APRN
  • NURS 714 - Family Theory and Health Promotion
  • NURS 751 - Clinical Synthesis for the Psych Mental Health NP
  • NURS 752 - Advanced Practice Nurse Business and Roles
  • NURS 794 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I
  • NURS 796 - Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 796L - Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Lab
  • NURS 799 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III

Certificate Requirements

• This Program is available Exclusively Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information).
• Completion of a minimum of 28 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Plan Certificate Completion Requirements

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Plan Disclaimer

In Nevada, the educational prerequisites for professional licensure in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) are an active Nevada RN License, National Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and graduation from a nationally accredited Nursing Program with a minimum of 500+ hours of direct patient care. The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is an accredited program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner subplan does satisfy those licensure and certification requirements. However, UNLV School of Nursing has not made a determination with respect to the licensure requirements in any other state. As such, MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is not authorized in any other state in which the prospective or enrolled student resides. If you reside in a state other than Nevada, UNLV will refund the application fee in accordance with its procedures. License requirements for other states are being explored.

Documents/Downloads

• Plans of Study
• Syllabi
• Degree Worksheets
• Careers
• Graduate Handbooks
• Additional Downloads
• Related Links

Contacts

Graduate Coordinator

• Reimund Serafica, Ph.D, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, FTNSS, FAAN
• Associate Professor (Tenured), Associate Dean for Advanced Education

Degree Contact

• General School of Nursing

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing educates nurses at the undergraduate and graduate levels to meet health care needs in Nevada and beyond. We promote, improve, and sustain human health through evidence-based education and advances in research and practice.