Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

This course provides a foundation of key concepts essential to population-focused healthcare professionals, the aggregate, community or population as the unit of care. The focus of the course is on health promotion/disease prevention with emphasis on the advanced role of healthcare professionals in clinical prevention of disease and care of populations. Applying concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary health promotion across the lifespan, the student relates the basic concepts of epidemiology to multiple domains of population health, using epidemiology to better understand, characterize and promote health at a population level. Disease prevention and health promotion of populations are examined through the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events, including the study of social determinants of health.

This course examines the healthcare system and guides students to assess and analyze the healthcare system in the context of advanced practice healthcare professional and the role of advanced practice healthcare professionals. The student explores organizational and system science, change theories and social change theories in its application to healthcare. Healthcare leadership including theory and styles as well as contemporary approaches, ethical practice and leadership strategies are examined. Inter/intra professional communication, teamwork, consultation, diversity and collaboration are discussed as cornerstones for patient safety, optimal health outcomes and accountability in health care. The student analyzes and evaluates the intersection of current and emerging healthcare system challenges and advanced practice role dimensions.

This course examines healthcare delivery in the United States, to include the role of public policy, advocacy, and industry regulation. Health policy perspectives and the analytical tools to understand the national policy-making environment are integrated throughout the course. Key policy issues and core constructs for analysis include national health expenditures and cost containment strategies, patient access and health disparities, health care quality and performance improvement, and workforce policy. Health care reform, future directions and trends, and policy innovations are examined for their impact on advanced nursing practice, service delivery, and health outcomes. Health systems of other developed and developing countries are examined to gain a global perspective and appreciation for a variety of health system attributes. 3 Lecture hours.

This course provides students with an overview of the fundamentals of quality improvement and a foundation in healthcare quality. Students are first introduced to the course content through a historical perspective on quality improvement and the current quality landscape. The methods and tools for quality improvement, measurement in healthcare quality and safety, culture of safety principles, and standards related to quality are then examined. As nurse leaders, it is important we understand culture and leadership, and how to create an environment conducive to healthcare quality and patient safety. In this part of the course, we examine human factors, high reliability organizations and principles of a just culture of safety. To complete the course content, we explore emerging trends and innovations to improve quality and patient safety.

This course reviews concepts important to implementing and sustaining effective use of technology in the clinical environment. Security and privacy for the protection of privileged information, effective policy development, testing and implementation are examined. Concepts of change management as well as informatics role in community/population health monitoring and management are explored. The student studies the use of technology to generate new evidence, the potential influence of emerging technologies on clinical practice and the importance of developing a caring practice in a high technology environment.

This course examines pathophysiological processes integral to the understanding of human health conditions and disorders across the lifespan. Objective and subjective manifestations of common health problems resulting from environmental, genetic, and stress-related maladaptation are assessed and analyzed. Assessment findings, diagnostic testing, and interventions for specific health problems are discussed. The etiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of disorders are reviewed within the context of age, gender, lifestyle and sociocultural determinants.

Builds the understanding of fundamental pharmacological principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, and dose-response relationships and includes the study of major pharmacological classes related to common disease processes. The course explores the major pharmacological drug classes and their application to the principles of therapeutic decision-making, including legal and ethical implications.

This course focuses on the use of the research process in developing new healthcare professional knowledge and applying that to an evidence-based practice. The student examines and develops research questions, considers theoretical frameworks, methods of data collection and analysis, and the interpretation and use of study findings in providing evidence-based care of individuals, families, and communities. The importance of scientific integrity and ethical standards are emphasized and ethical issues in the conduct of research are explored. The student is prepared to critically appraise and utilize research and identify researchable problems within the context of his/her own practice.

This course builds upon basic health assessment and guides the student to obtain a complete and accurate health assessment, including history, physical examination, and commonly used screening tools, as a foundation for advanced nursing practice with clients across the lifespan. The course emphasizes critical analysis and synthesis of physical exam data, relevant health history data, critical risk appraisal of the physical and mental status, assessment of nutrition, and anticipatory guidance relevant to health promotion and disease prevention. At the conclusion of the course, the student will utilize distance learning technology to demonstrate a comprehensive physical health assessment. Prerequisites: NR 548, NR 552. Concurrently with NR 590 or NR 591 or NR 592.

This course builds on principles of advanced pharmacology and provides a comprehensive overview of major drug classifications in relation to mental health diagnoses and treatment across the lifespan. The effects of selected medications on pathophysiology and psychopathology are examined. The student explores clinical decision making, evidence-based prescribing and safety, dose response, side effects/drug interactions, and use of medication in the overall plan of care for populations with mental health problems. Prerequisites: NR 548, NR 552. Corequisite: NR 553.

This course studies the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for clients across the lifespan. Utilizing self-directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care to patients across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NR 592, NR 553, Corequisite: NR 632.

This clinical course provides the foundational intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of family and adult population. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 592, NR 553, Corequisite: NR 631.

A continuation of Psychiatric and Mental Health NP I, this didactic course examines the theory of individual, family and group therapy techniques applicable across the lifespan, cross-cultural and problem focused. The course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual, group and family psychotherapy. The course studies the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for clients across the life span. Utilizing self-directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care to clients across the lifespan. Legal and ethical considerations of therapy are considered. Prerequisites: NR 631, NR 632, Corequisite: NR 634.

This second clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of an adult population. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 631, NR 632, Corequisite: NR 633.

A continuation of Psychiatric and Mental Health NP II (NR633), this course continues to examine the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for children and adolescents. The course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual and family psychotherapy. Utilizing self directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment and treatment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care in children and adolescents. Prerequisites: NR 633, NR 634, Corequisite: NR 636.

This third clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of children and adolescents. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 633, NR 634, Corequisite: NR 635.

As the fourth and final didactic course in the PMHNP specialty track this course continues to examine the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for older adults and families and builds upon the knowledge gained in the previous three didactic courses. This course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual and family psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on differentiating signs and symptoms for diagnosis and treatment and examines the effect of the illness on individuals and the family through the use of self-directed learning activities. Prerequisites: NR 635, NR 636, Corequisite: NR 638.

This fourth clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of older adults and families. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 635, NR 636, Corequisite: NR 637.