Prepare for psych NP certification and meet the growing need for specialized mental healthcare providers

This course provides an in-depth study of the physiological changes and responses to altered health states and their impact on the functional status of patients. Students will focus on the essential knowledge of human health and disease across the lifespan. Pathophysiological theories and evidence-based research serve as a basis for applying content to population groups. Prerequisite NURS 612 or 613.

This course builds upon the student's previous health assessment knowledge offering more advanced health assessment content to provide the foundation for advanced professional nursing roles. This course emphasizes knowledge of health assessment, including physical, psychosocial, spiritual health assessment, risk assessment, and functional assessment in diverse populations in the promotion of health and prevention of disease. To maintain a nursing focus on patient responses to health, illness, or the threat of illness, the nurse must exhibit effective communication and client teaching, which is incorporated throughout the course. The importance of effective documentation and health record keeping is included. Prerequisite NURS 612 or 613.

This course focuses on the concepts, principles, and application of pharmacotherapeutics used in the management of health problems encountered in primary care. Emphasis is placed on theories and principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics, which provide a foundation for critical thinking, and the application of research finding. The focus on pharmacology is aimed at the treatment of acute and chronic health problems in populations over the life span. Prerequisite NURS 612 or 613.

This course focuses on current evidence-based knowledge of neurobiology in relation to psychiatric mental health disorders and addresses principles of psychopharmacology. Emphasis is on neurotransmitters, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and concepts related to prescribing psychotropic drugs as treatment for psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan in clinical practice.

This course focuses on select psychotherapeutic treatment modalities for individual, group, and family psychotherapy. Theories and varied approaches to psychotherapy are reviewed. Differential Diagnosis formation of psychiatric mental health disorders is examined through observation, interviewing skills, mental health assessment, and screening mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive mental health assessments with knowledge and use of the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM 5) to clinically formulate accurate differential diagnosis and match the diagnosis with treatment planning of age appropriate, evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. This course has a required interviewing and mental health assessment lab of 16 hours.

This course is the initial clinical practicum that provides students an opportunity to synthesize and apply psychotherapeutic theories and concepts as they further develop advanced clinical skills for the PMHNP role. Interviewing and mental health assessment skills are reinforced. Emphasis is on cultivating competencies in conducting individual, group, and family psychotherapy across the lifespan while incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches to care. 150 clinical hours.

This course is the second clinical practicum and builds on providing the student opportunity to apply psychotherapeutic clinical skills for the PMHNP role. Emphasis is on psychiatric mental health care needs of the adult/ geriatric population. In the clinical setting the student will use comprehensive mental health assessments for decision making, to formulate differential diagnosis and match the diagnosis with a treatment plan incorporating diagnostic tests, therapy, psychotropic medication, then document and code in EMRs. 150 clinical hours.

This course is the third clinical practicum and builds on providing the student opportunity to apply psychotherapeutic clinical skills for the PMHNP role. Emphasis is on the specific psychiatric mental health care needs of the pediatric/adolescent/family population. In the clinical setting the student will use comprehensive mental health assessments for decision making, formulate differential diagnosis and match the diagnosis with a treatment plan incorporating diagnostic tests, therapy, psychotropic medication, then document and code in EMRs. 150 clinical hours.

This is the capstone practicum course for the PMHNP student. It functions to encourage transition to practice from student to entry level independent practice. Students will integrate knowledge from previous courses to culminate their training to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental health care and the management of complex co-occurring disease processes and disorders across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the professional role of the PMHNP in disease prevention, health promotion, collaboration, quality, and APRN leadership. 150 clinical hours.

This course is designed to prepare the student to successfully pass the national certification exam. Emphasis will be on best test-taking practices, the application of critical thinking in diagnosis, treatment and management of care of individuals in the mental health setting.