Program Overview

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Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the FNP

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the FNP is a post-master's certificate program designed to prepare family nurse practitioners to expand their practice specialty to include management of patients with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions. This three-semester, 21-credit program builds upon the existing skill set of primary care psychotherapeutic management skills.

About the Program

The program uses a variety of teaching strategies designed to actively engage students. Mandatory orientation sessions are held before the beginning of each spring semester to enhance connections among students and with the nursing faculty. This certificate has mandatory on-campus sessions throughout the program. Program start is contingent upon 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.

Learning Outcomes

The program has the following learning outcomes:

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

Requirements

Plan Description

Individuals who already have a master's degree in nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and meet the admissions qualifications will be allowed to take courses towards the Post-Master's Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the FNP upon admissions into the program.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Applications are 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

1. Completed application and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree Must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. Grade Point Average 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).
4. Unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received.

Department Admission Requirements

1. Transcripts must show coursework in Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology and the Family Nurse Practitioner degree concentration.
2. 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.
3. Statement of 300 words describing the student's professional goals and reason for seeking a nurse practitioner certificate.
4. Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
5. Current valid unencumbered and unrestricted RN license in the state of residence.
6. Interviews may be required.

Plan Requirements

• Total Credits Required: 21

Course Requirements

• NURS 751 - Clinical Synthesis for the Psych Mental Health NP
• 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

• Completion of a minimum of 21 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
• This program is available exclusively fully online.

Accreditation

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is an accredited program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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.

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). However, UNLV School of Nursing has not made a determination with respect to the licensure requirements in any other state.