Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate Program
About the Program
Delivered completely online, The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post Masters Certificate Program is designed as a certificate course of study enabling a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree to prepare for credentialing as an PMHNP. The program prepares graduates to assume a psychiatric-mental health care provider role in community, acute care, and tele-health settings for patients across the lifespan. Upon completion of the prescribed course of study, the student’s transcript indicates that he/she has completed the education preparation as regulated by the Texas Board of Nursing. Successful students are eligible to apply for the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification exam.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates will:
- Critically analyze, interpret and utilize appropriate knowledge, research and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse client populations across the lifespan.
- Collaboratively plan the delivery of culturally sensitive health care with organizations and the community.
- Contribute to the advancement of nursing profession through evidenced-based research and practice.
- Synthesize the leadership management, negotiating, teaching/coaching and consulting roles to foster continual improvement in order to meet changing societal and environmental needs.
- Operationalize ethical, legal, political, and economic principles in application to management of health care delivery across the lifespan.
- Advocate for advanced nursing practice through a commitment to lifelong learning and community service.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admittance to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate (PMHNP) program in nursing, the applicant must meet both the general requirements listed at TAMIU http://catalog.tamiu.edu/graduate-information/admissions/ and the specific requirements set by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Deadline to apply for admission:
PMHNP: Fall is July 1st, and Spring is December 1st.
- Applicants must submit a complete application by the designated deadline established by the College of Nursing.
- If an application is incomplete at the time of the deadline, it will be deferred to the following admission cycle or may not be considered (Fall I; Spring I)
- The graduate committee from the College of Nursing will review and determine eligibility and final admission decisions.
- The College of Nursing will notify applicants of acceptance by issuing an official admission letter to all students determined to be eligible for entry into the program.
- Applicants seeking admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate (PMHNP) program must complete the online “Apply Texas” application at the following site: https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX *Admission to the University does not automatically guarantee admission to the School of Nursing.
- In addition to completing all requirements for general admission to the University, the applicant must submit/complete the following information to the Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences:
- A valid, unencumbered RN license without restrictions in the State of Texas.
- Verification of at least two years of employment as a Registered Nurse actively engaged in providing patient care.
- Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree
- Official transcripts identify a minimum grade point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale in upper-level nursing courses.
- Two academic or professional recommendation letters indicating achievement and motivation for graduate study.
- Applicants must submit a current, professionally formatted resume along with three references.
- Personal Statement – Applicants are to submit a written statement of approximately 300 words that explains:
- What inspired your decision to pursue a Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification?
- In your response, highlight specific competencies, practice settings, or patient populations that have contributed to your readiness for graduate-level psychiatric nursing education.
- Required immunizations
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – Proof of full MMR vaccination series or positive titers
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – Proof of varicella vaccination series or positive varicella titer
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) – Proof of a current Tdap vaccination; Booster required every 10 years
- Hepatitis B (HBV) – Proof of full Hepatitis B vaccine series or positive Hepatitis surface antibody titer or signed informed refusal
- Annual influenza vaccination (received in the Fall of each year)
- Annual tuberculosis (TB) skin test or blood test
- Compliance and Clinical Clearance Requirements -- must be submitted separately to a designated vendor for repository of documents (i.e., Verified Credentials). The following clearance requirements must be completed at the applicant's expense, through a designated company or agency approved by the College of Nursing. {Contact the admissions advisor for questions}
- Medical health insurance -- Applicants are required to provide proof of health insurance obtained from a U.S. health insurance provider.
- Physical examination – To be completed by a licensed U.S. medical health provider.
- A criminal background check
- 10-panel Drug screen test
- Submit a signed release of information form for release of information to the Canseco School of Nursing. {Contact the Director of Graduate Program for this form}
- A personal interview may be required as part of the admission review process. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted directly with scheduling instructions and must complete the interview within the timeframe provided to remain eligible for admission consideration. The personal interview will be evaluated on the applicant's communication skills, professionalism, and readiness for graduate-level study in nursing administration.
For more information and to view degree plans, please review the MSN Student Handbook.