Overview
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is focused to serve a population of individuals across the life span, from children to the elderly. The individuals served present with a wide range of mental health diagnoses; some examples are depression, anxiety, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, substance use and addictive disorders, personality disorders, and adjustment disorders. The acuity of the individuals served may be acute or chronic, ranging from mild to severe and persistent impairment. The scope of practice includes health promotion and prevention, physical and mental health assessment, diagnosis of mental health conditions, integration and implementation of care, psychopharmacology, counseling, practice evaluation, education, consultation, and liaison. The PMHNP embraces interprofessional collaboration using a team approach.
Career opportunities include community mental health clinics, private practice clinics, schools, correctional facilities, veterans’ clinics, and acute psychiatric facilities.
Sample 3-Year Plan of Study
| Fall Year 1 | NRSG 602 Nursing Scholarship | 4 |
| NRSG 605 Advanced Pathophysiology | 4 | |
| 8 credits | ||
| Spring Year 1 | Graduate Statistics (If possible, take summer prior) | 3 |
| NRSG 606 Applied Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses | 3 | |
| 6 credits | ||
| Summer Year 1 | NRSG 607 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| 3 credits | ||
| Fall Year 2 | NRSG 603 Leadership in Nursing | 3 |
| NRSG 662 Counseling Models in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 3 | |
| NRSG 665 Neuroscience Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 | |
| 8 credits | ||
| Spring Year 2 | NRSG 609 Health Promotion for Populations | 3 |
| NRSG 663 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Adults | 4 | |
| 7 credits | ||
| Summer Year 2 | NRSG 604 Health Systems Innovation and Improvement | 3 |
| NRSG 668 Practicum in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 2 | |
| 5 credits | ||
| Fall Year 3 | NRSG 664 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Children and Adolescents | 4 |
| NRSG 668 Practicum in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 2 | |
| 6 credits | ||
| Spring Year 3 | NRSG 608 Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice | 1 |
| NRSG 668 Practicum in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 3 | |
| 4 credits | ||
| TOTAL | 47 credits |
Core Courses
These courses are generally required for most specialty programs, but review the specialty plans of study for confirmation.
| Credits | |
| Various Graduate Statistics * | 3 |
| NRSG 602 Nursing Scholarship | 4 |
| NRSG 603 Leadership in Nursing | 3 |
| NRSG 604 Health Systems Innovation and Improvement | 3 |
| NRSG 607 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRSG 608 Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice | 1 |
| NRSG 609 Health Promotion for Population | 3 |
* Not offered by College of Nursing but available through University of Nebraska system, including UNMC (BIOS 806 - Biostatistics I), or at/through any accredited college/university.
Available in Summer Terms
These core courses are available to be taken in the summer if desired.
| Summer - Odd Years | Credits |
| NRSG 604 Health Systems Innovation and Improvement | 3 |
| Summer - Even Years | |
| NRSG 602 Nursing Scholarship | 4 |
| NRSG 603 Leadership in Nursing | 3 |
| Summer - Every Year | |
| NRSG 607 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRSG 609 Health Promotion for Populations | 3 |