Home > Online Programs > Nursing > RN to MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
7-1-7 Model
Take one course at a time, with a break between
Two Degrees
Earn your BSN degree along the way
Dedicated Support
From Enrollment to Graduation
Provide Critical Access to Psychiatric Mental Healthcare in Your Community
Accelerate your career and expand your scope of practice by becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) through an online, faith-based program that aligns with your life and values.
Spring Arbor University's uniquely designed, online nurse practitioner bridge programs are ideal for working nurses interested in advancing their credentials from ADN to MSN, or ASN to MSN.
This in-demand online RN to Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN-PMHNP) program will equip you with the clinical expertise to diagnose and treat psychiatric and mental health conditions for patients across the lifespan.
- Establish an advanced clinical practice for assessing, diagnosing and intervening in individuals, groups and families' dysfunctional coping patterns and psychiatric disorders.
- Develop skills to serve patients with major psychiatric disorders, considering factors like epidemiology, age, socioeconomic background, cultural norms and level of disease risk.
- Deliver compassionate care and advocate for the healthcare needs of underserved populations, as exemplified by the Christian worldview.
- Earn your BSN degree as part of the program
- Continue working full-time as you earn your degree on your schedule.
- Learn from highly educated, talented faculty who build close relationships with students in small class sizes.
- Graduate prepared to take the national PMHNP certification exam (PMHNP-BC™)*.
Spring Arbor University’s online RN to MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is CCNE-accredited and recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.
If you already have your MSN, we offer a Post-Master’s Certificate-PMHNP that can be completed in 16 to 22 months, depending on completed prerequisites.
The master's degree program in nursing at Spring Arbor University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Upcoming Start Dates
Next application deadline:
July 30, 2024
Next start date:
September 3, 2024
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- 4-year program
- 82 credits total
- 570 clinical hours
- One 3-day campus residency during the third year
Designed for Working Nurses
- Online, asynchronous coursework
- 4 intakes per year
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
-
-
-
- 4-year program
- 82 credits total
- 570 clinical hours
- One 3-day campus residency during the third year
Designed for Working Nurses
- Online, asynchronous coursework
- 4 intakes per year
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
Online RN to MSN - PMHNP Program Curriculum
This in-demand specialization concentration is taught by faculty who draw on their own experiences providing psychiatric mental health care. Below are a few sample courses in this degree.
For a complete listing of courses, download a program guide.
This course is designed to prepare the student to apply evidence-based principles of wellness, disease prevention, and health risk in individuals, families, communities, and aggregate/clinical populations. Diversity is examined relative to social and communication patterns, roles, and value/beliefs underlying health-illness behaviors.
The focus of this course is on management of chronic disease and complex care needs of older adults. Emphasis will be on case management and interdisciplinary collaboration to arrange and evaluate care for the most health compromised clients.
The clinical practicum is arranged with a local preceptor with the approval of the program faculty. Students have regular contact with SAU clinical faculty, who also provide oversight of the preceptor-led experience. In the Adult Gerontology concentration, the minimum is 500 hours; however, students taking the Family Nurse Practitioner track have an additional two credits, equating to a total of 625 clinical hours.
The focus of this course is on integrating the learning from previous courses to design treatment and evaluate outcomes for the most vulnerable groups, particularly the systems of care that manage services for frail elderly, the chronically ill, and other similarly compromised patients.
SAU’s RN to MSN-PMHNP online program can be completed in as few as 48 months.
Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
Typically, our nursing classes have 20-25 students.
To be accepted in SAU’s Online RN-MSN programs, you must meet the following requirements:
- Associate degree from an accredited program or diploma in nursing
- Official transcripts
- A 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- Short personal statement
- Current nursing license
- Online application
RN to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Career Outlook
Over half of U.S. counties have no practicing psychiatrists, according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Help fill the critical need for psychiatric-mental healthcare through Spring Arbor University's online RN to MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
Similar to psychiatrists, PMHNPs can prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients with mental health disorders and substance abuse problems.
PMHNPs are becoming increasingly integral to medical teams as more hospitals and healthcare facilities utilize their expertise. In some states, PMHNPs can practice independently.
PMHNPs may work in:
- Mental health private practice
- Inpatient centers
- Public health organizations
- Schools and universities
- Correctional institutions
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage of PMHNPs is $125,000, which is 50 percent higher than RNs (American Association of Nurse Practitioners). PMHNPs also tend to earn higher salaries than nurse practitioners certified in other specialties.
Grow as a Christ-Centered Nurse
At Spring Arbor University, it is a privilege to provide a Christ-centered nursing education to our students and to participate in their journey. You will grow spiritually, personally and professionally throughout this program and will gain a better understanding of what it means to live out your faith as a nurse.
While the Christian faith is the foundation of our program, we welcome all students regardless of personal faith. All students will benefit from introspection and critical thinking as they consider how to meaningfully care for patients of different faith backgrounds.
Watch this video for more information on our faith-based philosophy.
