BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Q: What is the program length?

This program contains a total of 63 credit hours and can be completed in as little as three years. Part-time and full-time options are available to accommodate students’ work schedules.

Q: Are there any travel requirements for the program?

As part of the online DNP-FNP program, you’ll participate in two intensive FNP experiences during your second year. The first is conducted virtually, while the second is a two-day, on-campus intensive focused on hands-on skills assessments, workshops, training and more. Students will work with their academic advisor in scheduling this intensive to ensure accommodations are in place.

Already have your MSN?

Check out our 3 options below and see which would be the best fit for you:

PMC-PMHNP

Walsh’s online Post Master’s Certificate (PMC) -PMHNP program is ideal if you are looking to:

Bridge the mental healthcare gap as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Provide mental and behavioral health care to individuals, families and groups
Expand your scope of practice
Gain advanced knowledge of individual and group therapeutic modalities

This program will equip you with the core and advanced competencies to prepare for the ANCC PMH-BC or the AANP PMHNP certification exams.

Learn more about the PMC-PMHNP program.

PMC-FNP

Walsh’s online Post Master’s Certificate (PMC)-FNP program is ideal if you are looking to:

Fill the need for primary care providers through expanded scope of practice
Advocate for patient well-being across the lifespan
Study topics including pharmacology, pathophysiology and clinical management
Prepare for board certifications

Students earning their PMC-FNP can complete the program in as few as two years full-time, so you can continue to care for patients.

Learn more about the PMC-FNP program.

Upcoming Start Dates

Applications are currently being accepted for next intake

MSN to DNP

Walsh’s online MSN to DNP program is ideal if you are looking to:

Evolve as a nurse leader
Strategically promote change in health care
Earn the highest credential for clinical nursing practice
Explore emerging trends in Information and communication technology in health care

Students earning their MSN-DNP can study in 8- and 16-week courses, specifically designed for the working professional.

Learn more about the MSN to DNP program.

Online BSN to DNP PMHNP

This online program is designed to prepare students for this advanced health care role through didactic and clinical experiences that focus on psychiatric and mental health care needs across the lifespan.

Lead with a Doctorate
Gain more professional autonomy
Help Fill the Gap in Mental Health Care
Advocate for psychiatric and mental health care needs of individuals, families or groups
Deliver holistic mental health care and facilitate strong therapeutic patient relationships

Admission Requirements

Completion of an undergrad or graduate-level statistics course

Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license with two years of RN experience preferred

Writing sample, Current resume, and Interview

No application fee

Two Letters of reference

Fast Facts

BSN degree from an accredited school of nursing with a 3.0 GPA

Affordable Tuition

Full-time in three years, part-time in four years

Two start dates per year (fall and spring)

Two intensive experiences (one online, one on campus)

Download Your Program Guide

Online BSN to DNP PMHNP Program Curriculum

Walsh University’s online BSN-DNP PMHNP program is designed for aspiring PMHNP’s with an active RN license and BSN degree. Gain a DNP focused on leadership skills while earning the qualifications to sit for ANCC PMH-BC or the AANP PMHNP certification exam.

Already have your MSN? Check out our PMC-PMHNP or MSN-DNP degree options and explore which program would best fit your career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do clinicals work?

The clinical portion of this program will see you develop leadership skills and practical, hands-on competencies as you obtain 1,100 clinical hours. As a Walsh BSN-DNP PMHNP student, you’ll be paired with a dedicated clinical placement coordinator who will collaborate with you to secure clinical sites and preceptors for your clinical courses. Learn more about our clinical placement support services here.

What is the program length?

This program contains a total of 67 credit hours and can be completed in as little as three years. Part-time and full-time options are available to accommodate students’ work schedules.

What Financial Aid options are available for students?

Walsh University’s Financial Services department is committed to working with you to guide you to the assistance needed in order to pursue your studies. There are a variety of financial aid options available to students, including private scholarships, federal loans and federal direct plus loans. Learn more about the tuition and financial aid options available here.

Are there any travel requirements for the program?

As part of the online BSN-DNP PMHNP program, you’ll participate in one on-campus skills day (intensive).

NURS 675A
Seminar: Care of the PMH Patient

This course is designed to address common mental health disorders encountered in outpatient mental health settings. The course will focus on the development of knowledge and skills of the PMHNP student in the management of various mental health diagnoses in the outpatient setting. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge and skills needed for health history taking, mental health assessment and disease management of patients across the lifespan.

NURS 677A
Seminar: Care of the PMH Patient in Crisis

This course is designed to address the management of psychiatric patients in crisis across the lifespan. The course will improve the knowledge, competence and skills of the PMHNP student in addressing various mental health diagnoses in the acute psychiatric setting. The course emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills in mental health assessment and disease management of patients in crisis across the lifespan.

NURS 710 - Nursing Role and Ethics for the Clinical Doctorate 3 sem. Hrs.

In this course, students will explore and analyze the Doctor of Nursing Practice role. The students will understand the changing healthcare arena in which the clinical doctorate is practiced and will utilize inter-professional collaboration, systems thinking, global and population health and quality improvement/professional education to improve patient outcomes. Both the traditional and emerging roles of the Doctor of Nursing Practice will be addressed with ethical decision-making emphasized. Students will explore methods for assessing emerging issues utilizing psychosocial dimensions and cultural diversity to improve outcomes as related to population and global health.

NURS 725 – Advanced Leadership and Management 4 sem. Hrs.

This course is designed to advance the student’s ability to use leadership and management theory in nursing practice within current and emerging organizational systems. The student will build on previous course work to further develop the DNP leadership role in these focus areas: leadership development, management of care, collaboration with other health professionals, group and team dynamics, finance, physician relations/alignment, planning and human resource management (150 clinical hours).

NURS 730 – DNP Residency 3 sem. Hrs.

This course is designed to provide a culminating practicum experience for the DNP leadership student. Students will focus on promoting evidence-based practice as interdisciplinary team members and providing high-quality, cost-effective care in a dynamic health care environment. Emphasis is placed on further refinement of competencies related to the leadership complex issues, organizations and systems (150 clinical hours).