PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track prepares students to provide specialized primary mental health care to patients across the lifespan from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups who are experiencing psychiatric and mental health problems. Focus is on the evidence-based treatment modalities of Family Systems Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Brief Solution Focused Therapy with particular emphasis placed on holistic patient care.

Nurses graduate ready to assess, diagnose, and provide comprehensive care in a variety of settings, including emergency rooms, outpatient, telemedicine, behavioral health clinics, extended care facilities and residential treatment sites.

Complete your Core and Support Courses Online or On Campus.

Villanova's core and support courses prepare students with the foundational knowledge required of all graduate students and can be taken on campus or online.

Clinical courses must be completed in-person and enable students to build on existing skills, broaden the knowledge base related to Psychiatric-Mental Health across the lifespan and gain the knowledge and skills essential to independent or collaborative practice in a variety of care settings.

Clinical Placement

All clinical courses must be completed in person. Villanova Nursing secures MSN student clinical placement in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware in settings that provide for interdisciplinary collaboration among health professionals. Faculty and students will mutually select sites and activities to fulfill the program’s required 730 direct care hours.

Upon completion of the program all graduates will be able to:

  • Integrate foundational and advanced knowledge of the psycho-pathophysiology of complex mental health problems in the clinical management of clients/patients in a variety of mental health settings.
  • Communicate effectively with the client/patient, family and the interdisciplinary health care team regarding client/patient mental health issues and management plan.
  • Apply appropriate therapeutic and behavioral interventions for mental illness management for diverse populations and specific clients/patients across the lifespan.
  • Evaluate evidence for opportunities for innovation and change in clinical practice.
  • Apply appropriate client/patient education, health promotion and disease prevention strategies to optimize safe and quality care outcomes for mental health issues.
  • Implement strategies to foster and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients/patients, families and/or groups.
  • Apply appropriate referral and consultation strategies in managing mental health issues across the lifespan.
  • Assess best practices for the use of advanced information and communication technologies to support client/patient and team communication.
  • Model professional and ethical behaviors in practice and leadership roles
  • Advocate for practice environments that are supportive of practitioners’ professional development and well-being.



CORE COURSES: Complete in-person or online.

NUR 8964

Clinical Ethics:  Theory and Practice

3

NUR 8904

Nursing Research: The Practice Connection

3

NUR 8902

Development of Nursing Science

3

NUR 8906

Leadership Strategies in Nursing

3

 

SUPPORT COURSES: Complete in-person or online.

NUR 8903

Advanced Pharmacology

3

NUR 8901

Advanced Pathophysiology

3

NUR 8910

Advanced Physical Assessment

4

NUR 8400

Lifespan Psychotherapeutic Clinical Modalities

2

NUR 8401

Psychiatric Mental Health Issues & Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Part I

2

NUR 8402 Psychiatric Mental Health Issues & Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Part II 2

 

CLINICAL COURSES: Completed in-person within Pennsylvania, Delaware or New Jersey.

 

NUR 8409

Management in Psych-Mental Health I

3

NUR 8410

PMH-NP Practicum I (120 hours)

2

NUR 8411

Management in Psych-Mental Health II

3

NUR 8412

PMH-NP Practicum II (305 hours)

4

NUR 8413

 Management in Psych-Mental Health III

3

NUR 8414

PMH-NP Practicum III (305 hours)

4

 

 

DIRECTOR,
NURSE PRACTITIONER TRACKS

Dr. Elizabeth Blunt, Director Nurse Practitioner Programs

Mary Terhaar, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Associate Dean, Graduate Program

mary.terhaar@villanova.edu 

Elizabeth Blunt, PhD, RN, APRN, BC, FAANP
Director, Nurse Practitioner Programs
elizabeth.blunt@villanova.edu

Jan Campbell 
Assistant Director, Graduate Programs
jan.campbell@villanova.edu

 

DOCTORAL TRACKS

MaryAnn Cantrell, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Director, PhD Program
mary.ann.cantrell@villanova.edu

Jodie Szlachta, PhD, CRNA
Program Director, Post-baccalaureate Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice
jodie.szlachta@crozer.org

Debra Shearer, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Director, Post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice

debra.shearer@villanova.edu

Sandi Schultz
Assistant Director, Doctoral Programs

sandra.schultz@villanova.edu

Villanova Graduate Nursing Program