Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHNPs are needed in medical facilities to change mental healthcare practice, reduce mental health stigma, and increase access to care.

Texas State's nationally recognized MSN-PMHNP program is designed for Registered Nurses who want to advance their nursing role to provide evidence-based, high-quality psychiatric mental health care. Hallmarks of our program include small class sizes and On-Campus Intensives (OCIs). OCIs are immersive learning experiences for students to participate in simulations and engage with peers, faculty, and expert guest lecturers.

Course Work

The non-thesis MSN-PMHNP program is a combination of online course work and clinical practicum hours. Students complete the practicum hours one-on-one with a preceptor in the state of Texas, in addition to on-campus simulation and labs. Students engage in the application of evidence-based practice in their focus area in their capstone course. Course work includes:

• Neuroscience, Epigenetics, and Psychopharmacology
• Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Adult-Geriatric Clients
• Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Pediatric Clients
• Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan

Program Details

The MSN-PMHNP degree delivery format, small class sizes, focused semesters, and precepted practicum experiences will provide increased flexibility and opportunity for the students in Central Texas and beyond.

Program Mission

The St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University educates and prepares graduates using innovative teaching strategies and state-of-the-art technology. Graduates provide ethical, safe, and effective patient-centered care and contribute to present and emerging research and health management practices. Graduates demonstrate competence in clinical judgment, collaborate as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, and utilize scientifically-based interventions. As caring professional nurses, graduates manage illness; promote, maintain, and restore health; and provide end-of-life care for diverse individuals, families, populations, and global communities across the lifespan.

Career Options

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner graduates are employed in a wide variety of clinical settings. Settings can include inpatient acute psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation units, outpatient psychiatric clinics, and even their own private practice clinics. Graduates are qualified to take the PMHNP national certification examination. Certification is a requirement for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Graduates are well-prepared to pursue doctoral study either as new graduates or later in their careers.

Program Faculty

St. David’s School of Nursing faculty are expert advanced nursing leaders and clinicians who bring diverse knowledge and skills into their teaching. In addition to maintaining currency in clinical practice, faculty engage in service and scholarly pursuits. Faculty are highly active in research, service, and clinical practice and frequently present at local, national, and international conferences. Recognition and publication of faculty scholarship are evident in publications in professional journals, engagement in interprofessional scholarship and grantsmanship. Faculty scholarship extends to student engagement in translational science capstone projects that often result in faculty-student presentations and publications, providing graduates with scholarly recognition prior to graduation.