Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Area
Important Addendum:
Beginning Fall 2004, Post-master's certificate programs are available in the
PMHCNS, and combined PMHCNS-NP areas (Adult or Family focus); an individualized
program of study will be developed based on the area(s) of preparation desired
and past educational and clinical experience.
About the Program:
The UNC-CH School of Nursing offers two options within the Psychiatric-Mental
Health Advanced Practice area for students desiring For additional information
visit the
Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing website.post-masters preparation
as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMH-CNS) or as a combined
Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/ Nurse Practitioner (PMH-CNS & PMH-NP).
Changes in the care of persons diagnosed with or vulnerable to psychiatric disorders
have opened new opportunities for psychiatric-mental health advanced practice. With
psychiatric mental health advanced practice skills, graduates can independently
manage the mental health care needs of clients by functioning as psychotherapists
and case managers in a variety of public, private, community, inpatient, and
collaborative practice settings, and as consultants for hospitals and community
organizations. An emphasis on the interaction and integration of common
mental and physical health problems gives the student an evidence-based framework
for comprehensive mental health care. As a PMH-NP, the PMH APRN is prepared to
assume an expanded scope of practice that includes prescriptive authority, advanced
comprehensive assessment, diagnostic reasoning and collaborative management of
health problems common to adults.
- PMH Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult or Family focus)
This option is designed for nurses who have an MSN (CNS or NP) in another nursing
specialty than Psychiatric and Mental Health nursing. Post-master's study includes
a minimum of 18 graduate or post-graduate level academic credits with a significant
focus in psychiatric and mental health theory and supervised clinical training
in three psychotherapeutic treatment modalities (individual, group and family).
- Psychiatric and Mental Health CNS-NP (Adult or Family focus)
This option is designed for nurses who have a MSN in Psychiatric and Mental Health
nursing and meet the competencies of the PMH-CNS option, and wish to become certified
to practice as an Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or as
a Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Who May Apply?
Individuals who have earned a master's degree in nursing from accredited programs,
who are currently licensed as RNs, and who have at least one year's clinical
experience are eligible to apply.
NOTE: Potential applicants who have an MPH in public health
nursing accredited by NLNAC must contact the certification organization in their
selected specialty area to determine their eligibility and/or need to petition
the certification organization for permission to sit for the examination upon
completion of a postmaster's program.
Potential applicants who currently hold national certification as a nurse
practitioner and an earned master's degree in a related field will need to contact
the certification organization in their newly selected specialty area to determine
their eligibility or ability to petition the Certification program for permission
to sit for the examination upon completion of a postmaster's program.
In addition, all applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Board of
Nursing in the state in which they intend to practice, to determine the procedure
(if any) to receive approval to practice as a nurse practitioner with an MPH
or a master's in another related field. This procedure varies widely by state.
Application Materials
You will be asked to submit the following documents with your application:
- official transcript indicating completion of master's degree in nursing (or
equivalent degree)
- one professional letter of recommendation
- a curriculum vita or resume
- a professional goal statement (see guidelines in the application instructions)
- an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in NC is required
for enrollment
Applicants must complete a Health Assessment course, approved by the School
of Nursing, within the past two years prior to enrollment in the clinical courses
(unless the applicant is currently practicing as a nurse practitioner). Please
refer to the Post-Master's application instructions (Health Assessment
Skills Evaluation Form) for detailed information on this requirement.
How Does the Program Work?
- PMH Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult or Family focus)
The Program is a minimum of 18 credits in length, and is completed within two
academic years and one summer session. The elective courses taken by students
vary according to their learning needs and career goals, but may include courses
from the masters clinical core in nursing (e.g., health promotion and pharmacology)
and electives selected from other departments on campus (e.g., psychology, sociology),
or independent studies. All students meet with the advanced practice area coordinator
in their specialty area to review all coursework taken during their previous
graduate program. Additional coursework or alternative coursework may be required
based on this evaluation, specifically in the areas of health promotion, health
care policy, the advanced practice role, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
Post-master's students who are not nationally certified as master's prepared
nurse practitioners (adult or family) and have not maintained their clinical
practice will be required to take additional coursework and consequently a longer
program of study. [Note: Students who are CNS-prepared will need to take
additional courses to be prepared as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Please see Psychiatric and Mental Health CNS-NP below.]
- Psychiatric and Mental Health CNS-NP (Adult or Family focus)
Post-masters students who meet the competencies of the PMH-CNS option including
a physical assessment course within 2 years and current course work (within five
years) in the areas of pathophysiology, pharmacology and psychopharmacology take
a minimum of 9 credits that can be completed in one academic year and one summer
session. All students meet with the advanced practice coordinator in their specialty
area to review all coursework taken during their prior graduate program. Additional
coursework or alternative coursework may be required based on this evaluation,
specifically in the areas of health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology,
psychopharmacology, the advanced practice role, and therapeutic modalities. Post-master's
students who are not nationally certified as Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical
Nurse Specialists and have not maintained their clinical practice will be required
to take additional coursework and consequently a longer program of study.
Courses are taken with graduate students in the Master of Science in Nursing
Program. Student's who drop out are generally not eligible to return in the following
year. Clinical placements are planned with students according to their learning
needs and career plans. Students pursue clinical experiences with persons across
the life span. Clinical sites may be arranged near your home and/or work. There
are many excellent clinical sites available in the Triangle area, including mental
health centers, psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies, and private nurse
practices. We offer rich and varied opportunities for clinical practicums with
an impressive array of adjunct faculty, other certified specialists in PMH nursing,
and other mental health professionals who can serve as clinical preceptors.
Prospective students should request an unofficial evaluation of prior MSN
coursework for NP areas. The unofficial
evaluation for prior MSN coursework form should be attached to copies of
your Master’s transcript and sent to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing
address on the form.
Psychiatric-Mental Health faculty members are sensitive to students' learning
needs by employing a variety of instructional modalities including seminar or
classroom settings, on-line and/or Web-enhanced instruction. As a result, the
courses may be offered in traditional classroom settings and/or via distance
technologies.
How Long Does it Take to Complete the Program?
The program length varies from 1-2 academic years including 1-2 summer sessions
according to the option selected (see above).
How Much Does the Program Cost?
As a non-degree program, the Post-Master’s Certificate Program is “housed” within
the Department of Part-Time Classroom Studies, part of the William and Ida Friday
Center for Continuing Education at UNC-Chapel Hill. Upon acceptance into the
program, you will be sent registration instructions for the first semester. Tuition
must be submitted at the time of registration. Tuition is subject to annual increases
by the University’s Board of Governors. The Post-MSN Program is a part-time
program; however, a matriculated student may enroll full-time for one semester
over the course of the program.
You may consult the University Cashier’s Office costs
of attendance for specific information about tuition for the Post-Master’s
Program (Refer to the figures for Part-Time
Classroom Studies-Graduate). Additionally, all clinical courses are subject
to a $150 practicum fee (a listing of these courses can be found on last page
of the cost of attendance document).
Note: Students are fully responsible for all expenses for clinical-related
travel.
When Should I Apply?
The deadline for applying for fall admission is March 31 st. Those applicants
whose course plan includes non-clinical courses may apply for spring admission
by submitting the application no later than October 1 st.
What Will I Gain From Completing the Program?
Upon satisfactory completion of the Post-Master's Program, students are eligible
to take the certification examination of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
In addition, required and elective courses within the curriculum allow students
to develop depth in an area of special interest.
What are the Courses in the Program?
PMH Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult-focus)
Fall Semester, Year 1:
NURS 727
Health Assessment/Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (4 credits)
This course introduces students to the role of the advanced practice psychiatric/mental health nurse. Models for assessment, diagnosis (medical and nursing), intervention, and evaluation are explored and tested clinically. (3 classroom hours/week; 120 clinical hours/semester)
Spring Semester, Year 1:
NURS 860
Psychiatric Nursing Interventions with Individuals (3 credits)
Students analyze theories, techniques, and research relevant to doing individual psychotherapy in a variety of practice settings with diverse clients. Experience with selected theories is gained in clinical practice. (3 classroom hours/week; 120 clinical hours/semester)
Summer Session, Year 1:
NURS 869
Practicum in Psychiatric-Mental Health Care for Advanced Practice Nurses (1 credit)
Students will apply knowledge and skill in selected domains of the advanced practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Supervision, peer evaluation and independent readings will enhance the experience. (At least one credit of practicum is required; if three credits are taken, no elective is necessary.)
Fall Semester, Year 2:
NURS 861
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Interventions for Families (3 credits)
Students will analyze theories, techniques, and research relevant to therapy with families experiencing mental health problems. Applications of traditional and contemporary models are emphasized. (3 classroom hours/week; 120 clinical hours/semester)
NURS 862
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Intervention for Groups (1 credit)
Students will analyze and apply theories, techniques and research relevant to doing individual psychotherapy groups. Clinical placement with selected preceptors provides opportunities for unique experiences. (1 classroom hour/week; 60 clinical hours/semester)
*Elective(generally a minimum of 2 credits)
You may be able to use electives from previous graduate work if the
courses included content on psychiatric-mental health theory. Students may also
choose elective courses from the School of Nursing or any of the departments
at this University or at other colleges/universities as long as the course is
about mental illness/mental health theory.
Spring Semester, Year 2:
NURS 863
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing for Underserved Populations (3 credits)
Utilizes epidemiology, psychoeducation, clinical case management, and health policy to examine the scope of mental health problems and services for underserved populations. Model programs and mental health policies are critiqued. (3 classroom hours/week; 120 clinical hours/semester)
May be Required:
NURS 715
Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines physiological and pathophysiological responses to injury - the effects of injury on cell function, host defense responses, the maintenance of vital functions, and neuroendocrine immune responses to stress across the life span. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 720
Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision making in advanced nursing practice, with application to clinical management of common health problems specific to all age groups, encompassing a life span approach. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 722
Psychopharmacology in Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
This course examines the principles of neurobiology and psychopharmacology toward the prescribing and decision making of advanced practice nurses, with application to clinical management of common health problems encompassing a life span approach.
Psychiatric and Mental Health CNS-NP (Adult or Family
focus)
Fall Semester, Year 1:
NURS 726
Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning in Primary Care Nursing (4 credits)
This course focuses on diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize knowledge for comprehensive assessment of primary care patients throughout the life span. Prerequisites to all advanced practice area courses. (3 classroom hours/week; approximately 120 clinical hours including supervised labs/semester)
Spring Semester, Year 1:
NURS 810
Primary Care Management of Adults (4 credits)
This course examines the management strategies in community-based ambulatory care settings that provide care to adult individuals and their families. (3 classroom hours/week and 120 clinical hours/semester)
Summer Session 1 & 2, Year 1
NURS 869
Practicum in Psychiatric-Mental Health Care for Advanced Practice Nurses (1 credit)
Students will apply knowledge and skill in selected domains of the advanced practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Supervision, peer evaluation and independent readings will enhance the experience. (At least one credit of practicum is required; if three credits are taken, no elective is necessary.)
May be required:
NURS 720
Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision making in advanced nursing practice, with application to clinical management of common health problems specific to all age groups, encompassing a life span approach. (3 classroom hours/week)
NURS 715
Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines physiological and pathophysiological responses to injury - the effects of injury on cell function, host defense responses, the maintenance of vital functions, and neuroendocrine immune responses to stress across the life span. (3 classroom hours/week)
Additional courses required for Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner focus:
NURS 721
Pediatric Pharmacology (1 credit)
This course examines principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision making in advanced nursing practice with special emphasis on children and adolescents. (Primarily web-based).
NURS 827
Child Health Issues in Primary Care (3 credits)
This course examines the principles of assessment, management, evaluation and continuing care, of children in primary care settings. Developmentally appropriate, family-centered approaches and management of common medical problems are addressed. (2 classroom hours; 120 clinical hours per semester)
Psychiatric-Mental Health Faculty:
Linda
Beeber, PhD, RN, CS
Beverly
Ferreiro, PhD, RN, CS
Diane
Kjervik, JD, RN, FAAN
Mary
Lynn Piven, PhD, RN, CS
Theresa
Raphael-Grimm, PhD, RN, CS
Victoria
Soltis-Jarrett, PhD, APRN-BC
FOR MORE INFORMATION
School of Nursing
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carrington Hall, CB #7460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460
For general information on the School of Nursing and application materials, contact:
Office of Admissions and Student Services
(919) 966-4260
nursing@unc.edu
