Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
An advanced practice role that promotes health while also detecting and treating acute, episodic, and chronic mental illness across the lifespan
- Offered as a master's degree, a post-master's certificate, or as a specialty track for students enrolled in the BSN to DNP pathway program
- In-person class about 1x/month, and the balance of learning completed online
- Two years (full-time) or three years (part-time) to complete
- Graduates are eligible for the PMHNP certification exam administered by ANCC
- Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
- Application deadline: January 5
The psychiatric-mental health nursing track emphasizes the preparation of advanced practice nurses to promote and maintain health and to prevent, detect and treat acute and chronic mental illness. Addressing the needs of underserved, rural populations is highlighted throughout the program.
The PMHNP track offers baccalaureate-educated nurses with at least one year of full-time RN experience (relevant mental health experience is helpful) the opportunity to advance their practice. The PMHNP is offered at the MSN, as post-master's certificate, and for students enrolled in the BSN to DNP pathway program.
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Building on the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the BSN-prepared nurse, the PMHNP seminars focus on assessment and management of serious mental illness. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of neuro-biologic, psychosocial, and psychiatric nursing knowledge in delivery of care to individuals experiencing a wide range of psychiatric, mental health disorders.
MSN Core Coursework (23-24 credit hours)
- GNUR 6010: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- GNUR 6020: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- GNUR 6027: Advanced Pharmacology Specialty Seminar (1 credit)
- GNUR 6025: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)/GNUR 6025: Advanced Neonatal & Pediatric Assessment and Reasoning (4 credits)
- GNUR 6031: Transition to Advanced Practice (2 credits)
- GNUR 6050: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (3 credits)
- GNUR 6054: Research & Biostatistical Processes for Health Care (4 credits)
- GNUR 6056: Health Policy: Leading Change to Advance Population Health (3 credits)
PMH NP Specialty Diagnoses & Management Coursework (9 credit hours)
- GNUR 6251: Biological Basis of Mental Health & Mental Illness (3 credits)
- GNUR 6252: Mental Health Theories & Therapies (3 credits)
- GNUR 6253: PMH Disorders & Diagnoses (3 credits)
PMH NP Specialty Practicum Coursework (10 practicum hours)
- GNUR 7251: PMHNP Practicum I (5 credits)
- GNUR 7254: PMHNP Practicum II (5 credits)
Clinicals
Students complete 500+ clinical hours in the PMHNP track, most in two semester-long preceptorships in the final two semesters of enrollment. Clinical rotation assignments are coordinated by students with support from faculty and staff. Currently, the School has several clinical contracts with mental health facilities.
All clinical/practicum activities are generally conducted within Virginia. Clinical/practice activities may be completed outside Virginia if the University is authorized to do so in that state and pending faculty approval.
Nurses across the School's advanced practice specialty areas, including its MSN specialties, post-master's certificates, and DNP program pathways, earn clinical hours with qualified, highly-experienced mentor nurses, at sites across the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, central Virginia, the commonwealth, and the mid-Atlantic region, at sites including:
- Addiction Allies, LLC
- Bon Secours Blackstone Family Practice
- Bon Secours Patterson Avenue Family Practice
- Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
- Capitol Pediatrics, PC
- Carilion Clinic Family Medicine - Brambleton
- Carilion Roanoke Memorial (Clinic & Hospitalists)
- Charlottesville Integrated Psychiatry, LLC
- Children's Hospital a.k.a. CNMC
- CVHS - Buckingham
- CVHS - Southern Albemarle
- Family Medicine of Albemarle
- Inova Fairfax Hospital - Inova Health System
- Inova Health System
- KidMed Urgent Care
- Mental Fitness Matters, PLLC
- Old Dominion University Student Health Services
- Planned Parenthood
- Raphine Medical Associates
- Revolution Healthcare LLC
- Sentara Cardiology Specialists
- Sentara Family & Internal Med Physicians - Hampton
- Sentara Family Medicine - Virginia Beach
- Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
- Sentara Obici Hospital
- The Pediatric Center - VCC Main Office
- UNC Medical Center (Neurosciences Hospital)
- UVA Child and Family Psychiatry
- UVA Child Development & Rehabilitation (was KCRC)
- UVA Children's Hospital
- UVA Developmental Pediatrics Clinic
- UVA Family Medicine Stoney Creek
- UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center
- UVA Heart and Vascular Center Fontaine
- UVA HIV Clinic
- UVA Infectious Diseases Clinic
- UVA Medical Center
- UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic
- UVA Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Clinic
- UVA Midlife & Gynecologic Specialties Northridge
- UVA OB/GYN Outpatient Clinic
- UVA Pediatric Hematology/Oncology(Battle Building)
- UVA Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Clinic
- UVA Primary Care Locust Grove
- UVA Primary Care Riverside
- UVA School of Nursing Clinical Simulation Learning Center (CSLC)
- UVA Student Health and Wellness Center
- UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center
- UVA Transplant Center
- UVA University Medical Associates (UMA) Clinic
- VCU CHoR - Hematology and Oncology Clinic
- VCU Student Health Services
- VCU Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
- Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA (McGuire)
- Virginia Hospital Center Arlington Health System
- Virginia Skin Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for all UVA School of Nursing's MSN programs, applicants must submit a completed application and:
- Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited school
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study
- Be licensed as a registered nurse in the US and be eligible for a RN license in Virginia. All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes
- Submit a total of three satisfactory recommendations (academic, professional, and clinical), one of which should be from an APRN
- Submit a resume or CV
- Pay an $85 application fee
- Be available for an interview, if requested
- International applicants have additional admissions requirements
Please note that the GRE is no longer necessary for applicants.
RN experience:
- Applicants to the advanced practice programs (CNS and NP) must have at least one year of full-time RN experience before entering the program. A minimum of one year of full-time, relevant clinical nursing experience is necessary before enrolling in GNUR 6020 (Advanced Pharmacology), GNUR 6025 (Advanced Health Assessment), and the clinical practica.
- Applicants to the NNP track must have at least two years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last five years) as an RN in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings, typically in a NICU. This experience is mandatory.
A competitive applicant has:
- a BSN GPA of 3.25 or higher
- More than one year of relevant, full-time RN experience
- Active member of a national nursing organization (preferably in applicant’s practice area)
- Exhibiting leadership behaviors in a nursing practice setting (mentoring other nurses, participating in unit or hospital-based leadership teams, engaged in practice change and evidence-based practice projects)
- Possess a clinical certification, or on pathway to obtaining one or more certifications
- Excellent writing skills
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