Program Overview
The Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitoner has a focus on advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing as a specialty area. A multi-theoretical model is used to examine issues relevant to mental health and illness throughout the life-span. The program prepares students to provide comprehensive and integrative psychiatric mental health care to those in need of psychiatric services, as well as those who are at risk. The program has 18 graduate level academic credits of mental health theory, psychopharmacology, and supervised clinical experiences in three psycho-therapeutic treatment modalities (individual, group and family) and encompasses treatment across the life-span, from childhood through senescence.
Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from regionally-accredited institutions
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Bachelor's degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Master's degree
- Applicants must have at least three credits of graduate-level coursework in each of the following areas:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Physical/Health Assessment
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of professional goals
- Current CV/Resume
- Current, unencumbered APRN license to practice nursing in the state of Florida
- National certification in a nursing specialty
Please consult the School of Nursing and Health Studies website for detailed information on all admission requirements, including those for non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. residents, as well as application deadlines and submission procedures.
Certificate Requirements
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program is a lock-step program. Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study for the specific track under which they were admitted and as listed in the Academic Bulletin and the Student Handbook. Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next. Questions related to certificate requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NUR 682 | Advanced Practice Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| NUR 683 | Theoretical Bases for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 2 |
| NUR 684 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Therapeutic Interventions | 5 |
| NUR 685 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Preceptorship | 4 |
| NUR 686 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Preceptorship II | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Mission
The mission of the program is to educate students and support faculty committed to excellence in the art and science of nursing and health care studies through creating and disseminating health knowledge and developing culturally competent leaders to provide safe service to our community, the nation, and the world.
Goal
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students will apply the advanced knowledge and clinical skills in psychiatric mental health diagnosis and treatment which includes prescriptive practice of psychotropic medications to individuals with mental disorders across the life span.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to appropriately assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate individuals across the lifespan with mental health disorders.
