Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) in Psychiatric-Mental Health
Program Requirements
The RN to MSN program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses (15 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to progress to MSN-level course work.
RN to MSN
Bridge Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 301 | Ethics | 3 |
| or PHIL 201 | Philosophy of Human Nature | |
| NURS 320 | Stats for Health Professions | 3 |
| NURS 406 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| NURS 463 | Community Health | 3 |
| NURS 464 | Community Health Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Graduate (MSN) Courses
Achievement of a grade of B or better is expected in graduate studies. Students who successfully complete the "bridge" courses with a minimum grade of “C” and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 progress directly to the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare MSN-level courses.
Required Core Courses for All MSN NP Tracks
All of the core courses are offered online and must be completed for each of the specialty NP tracks. These courses provide the theoretical foundation for role development and expose the students to concepts and issues that undergird all areas of advanced nursing practice. Courses include content in health policy analysis and development, information management, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Students in the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare track will complete a slightly different set of core courses as some of the content is built into their specialty courses, see below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 561 | Information Technology and Data Management | 3 |
| NURS 562 | Theory and Foundation of Healthcare Improvement | 3 |
| NURS 563 | Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NURS 564 | Contemporary Healthcare Environment | 3 |
| NURS 565 | Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track
47 Credits (Including Core)
This track prepares students to work as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. They are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients, to provide clinical and professional leadership, and facilitate system improvements. Their clinical practice focuses on persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and individuals, families, or populations at risk for mental illness. The PMHNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus immersion during each of the three practicum courses and two on-campus immersions when taking the Advanced Health Assessment course (for a total of five on-campus immersions). These immersions are two days in length. Students will have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each of the three specialty practicum courses. Additional site visits are arranged as needed. Students may only be admitted if they reside in one of these ten western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Core | ||
| NURS 523 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 524 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 600 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 601 | Advanced Health Assessment Practicum I | 1 |
| NURS 652M | Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts I | 3 |
| NURS 653M | Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts II | 3 |
| NURS 654M | Psych-Mental Health Nurse Concepts III | 3 |
| NURS 670 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum (600 Hours) | ||
| Select ten credits of the following: | 10 | |
| Psych-Mental Health Practicum I | ||
| Psych-Mental Health Practicum II | ||
| Psych-Mental Health Practicum III | ||
| Psyc-Mental Health Practicum Extension (if needed) | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |