Nursing: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, D.N.P. - CHHS, UNH

Graduate

Nursing: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Develop expertise to provide direct patient care services, from psychiatric assessment and diagnosis to therapeutic interventions and medication management.
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Location
Online
Courses
27*
Credit
77 hrs.*
Full-time
Varies
Part-time
Varies
Nurse checking a patient's ear

Nursing

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctoral program at UNH offers advanced training for registered nurses seeking specialized mental healthcare leadership roles. The PMHNP develops expertise to provide direct patient care services, from psychiatric assessment and diagnosis to therapeutic interventions and medication management. 

Our program prepares you for PMHNP ANCC national board certification. Here you'll be able to develop expertise across multiple areas—from clinical innovation and evidence-based practice to psychiatric care and healthcare transformation. With a focus on comprehensive leadership development, practical applications, and advanced clinical competencies, our program prepares you for board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Through intensive coursework and clinical training, you'll master the essential skills needed to lead mental healthcare innovation while providing expert psychiatric care across diverse healthcare settings.

UNH nursing licensure programs accept only students seeking licensure in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Click below to get more information about UNH graduate programs

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Contact Cards

Online Graduate Recruitment
(855) 250-6699

Why get a Bachelors of science in Nursing to Doctorate of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

Our nation's complex healthcare environment has created a great demand for innovated nurse leaders with specialized knowledge and advanced nursing practice expertise.  The Bachelors of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) is a doctoral degree that prepares nurses for the highest level of advanced nursing practice.   Students in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program has the opportunity to fast track through masters level courses and complete PMHNP specialty didactic and clincal courses and practicum experiences.  Upon successful program completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the ANCC board certification for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC).

Why choose UNH's Doctor of Nursing Practice program?

This online post baccalaureate DNP is designed for nurses with a bachelor’s degree who wish to pursue academic preparation as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) while completing a terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Students benefit from the focus on enhanced leadership, evidenced-based clinical and management skills, and development of advanced competencies for transforming healthcare delivery and practice. A dedicated UNH faculty advisor will help you balance the workload and manage your academic schedule. With minimal campus visits, small class sizes, and dedicated expert faculty, our asynchronous program offers flexibility, a great option for working professionals. Begin in the spring or fall terms and complete the coursework full or part-time.

Potential Careers

  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Nurse Manager
  • Clinical Nursing Faculty
  • Director of Nursing
  • Director of Inpatient Services
  • Director of Quality & Safety
  • Healthcare Innovation Officer

Curriculum & Requirements

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Program Description
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The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for the highest level of specialized nursing practice. DNP graduates are innovative leaders prepared to translate evidence into practice, improve systems of care and measure health outcomes in diverse settings. Students are required to plan, implement, and evaluate a quality improvement project customized to support their unique aspirations.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) program is for nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing who are seeking leadership development and certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).  This program will prepare the experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with the knowledge, skills,and competencies to assess,diagnose, and manage mental healthcare patients across the lifespan. Foundational core coursework to prepare the advanced practice nurse is completed prior to transitioning into specialty content.

Courses are competency-based, founded on evidence-based approaches to care management and learning strategies with commitment to student success and continuous quality improvement embedded within the process. Synchronous, asynchronous, low and high-ï¬delity simulation,virtual and on-campus intensives,and clinical immersion will reinforce didactic content and afford the student the opportunity to transition to an active member of a collaborative mental health care team.

Upon successful program completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC).

Admission Requirements

  1. Registered Nurse licensure: An unencumbered registered nurse license in the United States
  2. A bachelor of science in nursing
  3. Letters of recommendation: Three letters of reference pertaining to academic ability, professional competency, and personal character are required.
  4. Updated resume
  5. Professional statement: The professional statement must include a written essay responding to each of the following:
    1. Discuss the DNP PMHNP program, what experiences have contributed to your interest and how do you visualize yourself in this role after graduation?

    2. How will a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the Âé¶¹app help you attain your professional goals?

    3. This is a graduate program that requires a high cognitive load, explain in detail how you are going to prepare yourself and manage throughout the program.

  6. Interview: After initial review of the application, applicants may be contacted for an interview.
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Requirements for the Program
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Degree Requirements

Clinical Hours: 750*

Required Courses
NURS 812Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics3
NURS 814Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan3
NURS 815Leadership, Role, and Collaboration 3
NURS 816Health Promotion Theory and Population Health3
NURS 818Foundations of Evidence Based Practice3
NURS 820Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan3
NURS 910Genomics & Ethics3
NURS 911Diagnosis & Management - Diagnostic Reasoning3
NURS 917Biostats and Epidemiology3
NURS 977Neurobiology of Mental Disorders Across the Lifespan2
NURS 978Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I2
NURS 979Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II2
NURS 983Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice and Assessment3
NURS 986Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I3
NURS 987Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II3
NURS 988Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III3
NURS 989Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum IV3
NURS 990Mental Health & Special Populations3
NURS 991Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I3
NURS 992Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II3
NURS 964Information Systems and Technology Improvement3
NURS 967Evidence Based Practice Methods3
NURS 969Health Systems Policy, Economics & Financial Planning3
NURS 973Quality & Safety3
NURS 980Doctoral Scholarly Project I3
NURS 981Doctoral Scholarly Project II3
NURS 982Doctoral Scholarly Project III3
HMP 933Quality and Process Improvement in Healthcare3
NURS 960Healthcare Finance Management3
NURS 966Creative Leadership: Embracing Disruption and Innovation3
Total Credits87
*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 986, NURS 987, NURS 988, NURS 989.

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Student Learning Outcomes
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Program Learning Outcomes

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner builds upon the skills of the baccalaureate prepared generalist nurse.

Upon completion of the BS-DNP program, the student is prepared to:
  • Integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines, to formulate clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice as well as synthesize comprehensive knowledge of advanced nursing practice, integrating scientific principles and clinical expertise to enhance patient outcomes.
  • Design person-centered care that builds on a scientific body of knowledge focusing on individuals with multiple complicated circumstances, including family and/or important others as well as critically analyze the effectiveness of person-centered care on patient outcomes, healthcare systems, and policy development through rigorous assessment and continuous quality improvement processes.
  • Advocate for healthcare delivery from public health prevention to disease management through collaborative activities for equitable population health outcomes as well as formulate and evaluate strategies to improve health outcomes for diverse populations, addressing social determinants of health and reducing health disparities.
  • Disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health care as well as critically evaluate current research and evidence-based practices in nursing, identifying areas for improvement and innovation.
  • Integrate established and emerging principles of safety as core nursing values to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers as well as implement and evaluate quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and care outcomes, utilizing evidence-based practices to minimize risks and optimize healthcare delivery.
  • Lead collaborative care teams to optimize patient outcomes and improve health care experiences as well as facilitate and evaluate effective collaboration with interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes, fostering a culture of teamwork and communication.
  • Coordinate resources for diverse populations to provide safe, quality, and equitable care as well as analyze and influence healthcare systems to optimize care delivery, advocating for policies and practices that enhance system efficiency and patient outcomes.
  • Utilize informatics and communication technologies in developing and delivering optimal healthcare services according to best practice and professional and regulatory standards as well as integrate and evaluate informatics and healthcare technologies to improve patient care, utilizing data analytics to inform clinical decision-making and enhance health outcomes.
  • Cultivate a sustainable professional nursing identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values as well as exemplify professionalism in all aspects of practice, demonstrating ethical behavior, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Utilize leadership skills, change theories, and effective decision making in advanced nursing roles in the provision of care as well as engage in continuous personal and professional development, demonstrating leadership in clinical practice, education, and healthcare policy.
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Disclosures
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Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (D.N.P.)

Location/Delivery: School of Nursing [Online Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Nurse Practitioner

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination

The Âé¶¹app has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:1
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

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State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.

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Application Requirements & Deadlines
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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: May 1
  • Spring: N/A
  • Summer: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Online

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a . This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

The professional statement must include a written essay responding to each of the following.

  1. Describe a clinical experience that demonstrates your critical thinking and readiness to enter doctoral study.
  2. Explain how you use a nursing theoretical/conceptual lens to improve care.
  3. Tell us about a U.S. policy or health issue you are passionate about and why.

Enrollment Deposit

This program requires an enrollment of $200. If admitted the deposit will be due by the deadline specified in your admit letter. For more information please see our .

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our for more information.

UNH Nursing Program Tracks: How to reach your goals

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I'm starting with a high school diploma
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I'm starting with an Associate’s Degree and Active Registered Nurse (RN) License
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I'm starting with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Higher Degree
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With your credentials, we recommend the Master of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry MSN) 

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I'm starting with a Bachelor's Degree and Active RN License
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Two academic tracks are available to you:

*Students are eligible for CNL certification exam

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I'm starting with a Master of Science in Nursing and Active APRN License
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I'm starting with a Master of Science in Nursing and Active RN License
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Explore Degree Programs

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DNP Project & Clinical Hours
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Students participate in an online synchronous orientation to get them started in the program and they have one on one access to faculty mentors and their advisor for project development. Students are encouraged to come to campus to present their final DNP project during the DNP scholarly symposium.

While in the online Doctor of Nursing Practice program, students are required to successfully complete all DNP coursework, have 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours (including up to 500 clinical hours earned in the master's program), produce a publishable scholarly paper, and successfully present their DNP Project.

DNP projects are designed in consultation with faculty and content experts. This allows DNP students to develop knowledge, skills, and strategies for a quality improvement project.  Students assume the role of leader of their DNP project team in interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation, and partnership as they plan and implement their project. The DNP project proposal is developed in NURS 980, Doctoral Scholarly Project I; the project is implemented in NURS 981, Doctoral Scholarly Project II; and then evaluated and disseminated during their final course, NURS 982, Doctoral Scholarly Project III.

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Costs & Financial Aid
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Tuition & Fees:

The Âé¶¹app’s online graduate tuition and fees information is available on the UNH Student Accounts Website. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change.

Course Fees: Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit the  for more information. 

TUITION & FEES INFORMATION

Financial Aid:

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal financial aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the .

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

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Faculty
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Online courses are taught by full-time faculty with excellent practical and pedagogical experience.