The American Psychiatric Nurses Association reports a shortage in psychiatric mental-health nurses. There is consistent growth in the mental health field, contributing to the need for qualified, trained professionals.
Answer the call for caring by earning a Master of Science in Nursing specializing in psychiatric mental health. You'll learn how to:
- assess and diagnose individuals and families with psychiatric disorders
- identify risk factors for psychiatric illness
- provide psychotherapy and prescribe medication and other mental health resources
- promote mental health in hospital and community settings
- contribute to policy development and healthcare reform
When you graduate from this psychiatric nurse practitioner program from ODU, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). You'll need this certification to get a state license to practice as an independent provider with prescriptive authority. You can also apply to continue your studies in ODU's DNP program.
You'll be required to take part in on-site learning approximately once a semester.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
