How do I become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

In order to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a registered nurse must pass a board certification. Rockhurst’s Online MSN-PMHNP 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.

What do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners do?

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.

What is the demand for PMHNPs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nurse practitioners have a 52% projected job growth by 2030, making nurse practitioners one of the fastest-growing occupations within the decade.

How much does a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner make?

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 roughly $137,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021). 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.

Is RU's online PMHNP program accredited?

The online MSN 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).

Is RU's online PMHNP program faculty experienced?

The online FNP 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).

Is RU’s online FNP program faculty experienced?

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.

Are clinical placement services provided?

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.

How long will it take for me to complete RU’s online PMHNP program?

The online PMHNP 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.

How many credit hours are required for RU’s online PMHNP program?

The online PMHNP program requires 49 credits of coursework and 750 clinical hours to graduate.

How much does RU’s online PMHNP program cost?

The online PMHNP program costs $734.69 per credit hour plus $1,750.00 per practicum course, for a total program investment of $42,091.67, plus fees (78.30/credit hour). Financial aid may be available to our online students.

Online MSN-PMHNP | Rockhurst University Online

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
Clinical placement
Complimentary services

Get Started Now

Download your guide to learn more about this program, including:

Admission requirements
Curriculum details
Program features
Tuition costs

Access Your Guide

What would you like to study?

Are you a licensed RN?

Concentration

I have or will have a bachelor’s degree as required for Rockhurst University’s hybrid ABSN program, and reside in one of the following states: IA, ID, KS, MO, NE.I have or will have a bachelor's degree as required for Rockhurst University’s online programs.I have or will have a master's degree as required for Rockhurst University’s online post-graduate program.

Continue to Step 2

Step 1 of 2

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Country

Zip Code

Submitting this form constitutes your express written consent to be called and/or texted by Rockhurst University Online at the number(s) you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automated technology, including by way of example, auto-dialer and click-to dial technologies. Calls may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Privacy Policy.

« Back | Step 2 of 2

Admission Requirements

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, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia

Program Features

49 credit hours
$734.69 per credit hour (non PMH Practicum courses)
$1,750.00 per credit hour (PMH Practicum courses)
3 starts per year
6 semesters (full-time)
8 semesters (part-time)
750 clinical hours
1 campus immersion
1 virtual immersion

Program Themes

Advanced Practice Nursing Foundations

Incorporate scientific and theoretical concepts from nursing and other relevant disciplines to improve nursing practice in various settings

Evidence-Informed Quality Improvement

Adopt a lifelong learning approach to care that draws upon research and data to ensure safety and quality for patients and organizations

Leadership, Systems, and Policy

Serve as an effective and collaborative nurse leader from organizational, systems, and policy perspectives

State Authorization

Rockhurst PMHNP state authorization

Students from Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia are welcome to apply to the online PMHNP program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.

Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is approved by the State of Missouri to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As a participating institution, Saint Luke’s College may offer online programs to students in other SARA member states without seeking authorization in that state.

Accreditation and Disclaimers

Rockhurst University and Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online Master of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.

*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Rockhurst University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

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.