Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Certificate

Robin Schafer DNP, PMHNP-BC, CPNP, Program Director
(914) 674-5757
Rschafer1@mercy.edu

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is a 24 credit post-master’s advanced certificate for students already master’s prepared as advanced practice nurse practitioners or students who have a master’s in nursing and have taken the 3 Ps (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment). The 3 Ps are separate courses. The PMHNP program focuses on mental health disorders across the lifespan. Didactic course content is hybrid online using asynchronous and synchronous meeting formats. The PMHNP program requires 750 hours of direct care face-to-face clinical experiences.

The post master’s advanced certificate prepares advanced practice nurses to practice in various settings including community health centers, private practice, institutional settings, substance disorder settings, school-based clinics, and shelters for unhoused populations. The PMHNP program educates students about health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and treatment of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, with particular attention to social determinants of health and the psychiatric care to vulnerable populations. The PMHNP program educates students about treatment, medication management, case management, and counseling modalities for individuals, families, and groups.

Course Requirements

NURS 709 - Therapeutic Counseling Modalities Credit(s): 3
NURS 710 - Psychopharmacology Credit(s): 3
NURS 711 - Mental Health I-Adults Credit(s): 4
NURS 711S - Mental Health I-Clinical Credit(s): 2
NURS 712 - Mental Health II-Children & Adolescents Credit(s): 4
NURS 712S - Mental Health II-Clinical Credit(s): 2
NURS 713 - Mental Health III-Behavioral Health Credit(s): 4
NURS 713S - Mental Health III-Clinical Credit(s): 2

Admissions Requirements

MS degree in Family Health, Adult-Geriatric, Adult, Pediatrics Nursing degree, or other Nurse Practitioner degree.
MS in Nursing Degree (non-nurse practitioner degree)*
Official transcripts from all accredited colleges/universities attended.
GPA 3.0 or above
Applicants with an international education are required to have their earned credits evaluated by NACES to be comparable to United States standards.
Copy of currently registered and unencumbered RN License and MS License
Resume or CV
One Professional or Academic Recommendation
Interview with program faculty
Personal Statement (500-word essay)**

* If student is not a nurse practitioner (MS in Nursing), they must submit proof of completion of the 3 Ps (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment with a B or better). The 3 Ps must be three separate courses.

** The personal statement is an important part of the admission decision. Applicants must respond to the Essay prompt. The rubric provides guidance about what is expected.

Application Deadline

Fall admission: April 15

Academic Dismissal

If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program. For students on probation, future course registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Academic Unit Head of the student’s program or Academic Standing Committee.

Students may be dismissed if the GPA remains below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters. The Academic Standing Committee will meet to determine if a student will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Readmission Policy

Students who have been academically dismissed from the nursing program, may reapply after semester of the dismissal. Readmission is not guaranteed. The academic standing committee will review applications and decide if re-admission is warranted. If readmitted, the student will be on academic probation for one year and must receive a B or better in all courses. Students reapplying will need to complete the following:

Readmission application
Interview with graduate faculty
Meeting with program director

Essay about why they should be reconsidered (500-600 words)

Complaints That Fall Outside Existing Policies

The School of Nursing is committed to meeting its mission as it relates to serving our students, potential students, staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, clinical faculty and the public. The School of Nursing and all its Program adhere to Mercy’s existing policies and procedures including but not limited to the Academic Appeals Policy, Policies and Procedures relating to Sexual Misconduct, Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non- grade appeals, student discipline, sexual misconduct complaints, disability accommodations, discrimination and retaliation. In addition to university policies, the School of Nursing, and our accreditor, Commission on College Nursing Education, all have policies and procedures in place that must be followed. If a circumstance arises for which there is no established policy or procedure, we are committed to ensuring that these exceptional complaints are considered and resolved in a timely, fair, consistent and equitable manner.

Procedure: Complaint to the Program: Complaints should be addressed to the Program Director through email. If the program director is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be addressed to the Associate Dean, School of Nursing.