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Online Master of Science in Nursing–Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP)
Pursue a Leadership Role as a Mental Health Advocate
Expand your skills and career opportunities as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with Rockhurst University’s Online MSN-PMHNP program. As a PMHNP, you’ll enjoy greater flexibility, personal fulfillment, a higher salary and increased opportunities to pursue a more traditional work schedule, all while providing invaluable service to those with mental health needs.
This online PMHNP program is designed for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who are interested in becoming practitioners in the mental health field.
Rockhurst University’s CCNE-accredited online psych NP program provides:
- Online coursework in addition to clinical hours
- Flexibility with the option to choose to be a full- or part-time student
- Delivery by the highly respected Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Full clinical placement services included
- Prepare for ANCC PMHNP-BC Certification upon graduation
Guided by Jesuit values, Rockhurst University prepares advanced practice nurses to care for the needs of the whole person through rigorous academics, rich and varied clinical experiences, and a spirit of inquiry and reflection.
Affordable
Competitive tuition
Full-time or part-time
Graduate in 2 to 2.7 years
Free clinical placement
Preceptor matching services
The online MSN-FNP Program is available for residents in the following states:
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Nursing is a work of Heart.
Director of Rockhurst University Graduate Nursing Programs Dr. Barbara Ludwig and Associate Dean of Nursing/Chief Nursing Administrator Kristina Henry are joined by MSN students to share their goals, experiences and what students can expect from Rockhurst University’s Graduate Nursing programs.
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- BSN from CHEA recognized institution and nursing accreditation from CCNE or ACEN
- Active RN license
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Check state authorization
- Must reside in one of the following states: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia
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- BSN from CHEA recognized institution and nursing accreditation from CCNE or ACEN
- Active RN license
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Check state authorization
- Must reside in one of the following states: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia
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This introductory course examines the role of advanced practice nurses as influenced by social, cultural, political, and economic forces. Issues present in the changing health care environment are examined for quality and patient safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes. The ethical dimensions and legal parameters for advanced nursing practice are investigated. (3 credits)
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This introductory course examines the role of advanced practice nurses as influenced by social, cultural, political, and economic forces. Issues present in the changing health care environment are examined for quality and patient safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes. The ethical dimensions and legal parameters for advanced nursing practice are investigated. (3 credits)
Learn More
Get your guide to find out more about our MSN-PMHNP curriculum.
How does the clinical placement process work?
You’ll work with a dedicated Rockhurst placement coordinator who will walk you through the process and be your primary point of contact. Based on your goals and where you live, your placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you within a reasonable driving distance.
How should I prepare for nursing clinicals?
You will be in close communication with your placement coordinator all the way through to graduation. He or she will ensure you complete all requirements and meet deadlines, and will answer your questions, verify your clearance requirements, and walk you through the nursing clinicals checklist.
When will I receive my clinical placement details?
You will receive a notification from your placement coordinator prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working directly with your preceptor to establish a schedule.
What can I expect during nursing clinicals?
All clinical experiences are a bit different because students work in a variety of health care environments. During clinical rotations, you will be under the close supervision of your preceptor and the indirect supervision of Rockhurst clinical faculty.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don’t find the answers to your questions here, contact your Rockhurst University (RU) enrollment adviser and schedule a time to talk that’s convenient for you.
In order to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a registered nurse must pass a board certification. Rockhurst’s online psych NP program helps prepare students to pass their certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Rockhurst University graduates have maintained a 92% first-time pass rate for certification exams, a statistic that exceeds the national average.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners work with patients across the lifespan with mental health disorders or substance abuse problems. They provide mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; psychotherapy for individuals and groups; psychotropic medication prescription/management; and advocacy for patients, populations and families. PMHNPs focus on delivering holistic mental health care and facilitating strong therapeutic relationships with patients experiencing acute and chronic mental/psychiatric disorders.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nurse practitioners have a 38% projected job growth by 2032, making nurse practitioners one of the fastest-growing occupations within the decade. With over half of the states allowing nurse practitioners full practice authority, they are able to help bridge the gap from physician shortages.
Earning an MSN-PMHNP degree is an effective way to increase your earning potential as a nurse. While salary can depend on the state, the average salary for a Nurse Practitioner in the U.S. is $126,260 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). Graduates of Rockhurst’s Online MSN-PMHNP program may see a quick return on investment in either option of a full-time or part-time education as the demand for PMHNPs continues to grow.
The online psych NP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Rockhurst University and Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
You will learn from active clinicians who bring real-world experience into the online classroom. As trusted Rockhurst faculty members, they are committed to your success as an advanced practice nurse.
Yes. Clinical placement services are built into the cost of the program. A dedicated Rockhurst placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor within a reasonable driving distance from where you live.
The online psych NP program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The full-time track takes 6 semesters to complete, while the part-time track takes 8 semesters.
The online psych NP program requires 49 credits of coursework and 750 clinical hours to graduate.
The online PMHNP program costs $765 per credit hour plus $1,750.00 per practicum course, for a total program investment of $43,395, plus fees. Financial aid may be available to our online students.
Emily Berendzen, Online MSN-FNP student, Rockhurst University
Cathy Kerns, Online MSN-FNP student, Rockhurst University
Ashley Roberts, Online MSN-FNP student, Rockhurst University
CAMPUS IMMERSIONS FOR ONLINE PMHNP STUDENTS
Online PMHNP students will attend one clinical immersion on the Rockhurst campus in Kansas City, Missouri, for three days of clinical instruction in the new, state-of-the-art simulation lab and renovated nursing facilities. They will also engage in one virtual immersion to further hone their skills. In these immersive clinical experiences, students will receive hands-on skills training, complete high- and low-fidelity simulation and demonstrate competencies through objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
Following the campus immersion, students will return home and continue their online coursework. Additionally, they will complete the rest of their clinical hours at a predetermined site under the direct supervision of a licensed preceptor and the indirect supervision of a Rockhurst clinical faculty supervisor.
