Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Nursing is to be Christ-centered, people-focused, student-oriented, quality-driven, and future-directed in preparing qualified persons to serve a diverse population through the holistic profession of nursing.

Components for Learning

At AU, we offer a flexible program catered to you, the working nurse.

All classes are offered online, so you can learn anywhere. You will still meet your cohort and professors in person during a two to three-day session, held once per semester for four consecutive semesters.

Clinical residencies are required for all Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification students. You must complete 500 clinical hours spread across the program. While it is your responsibility to find a clinical preceptor, AU works hard to establish relationships with clinical partners, to aid you in your search.

Your clinical and in-class experiences at AU will also prepare you to take the standardized national exam to become certified to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

Special Requirements for Admission

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Nursing or higher from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 averaged from all nursing degree programs.
• Active and unencumbered RN license
• CPR certification
• Current immunization record by start of program
• Family Nurse Practitioner Certification

Application Process

• Complete online application and pay application fee
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts from all former academic institutions
• Resume

This mostly online option is designed for an Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner that desires the classes necessary to prepare them for the PMHNP Certification exam with the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Students complete 22 hours including 500 clinical hours in working with Psychiatrists or PMHNP’s. Students come to campus for 2-3 days mid semester to meet with faculty, interact with their classmates, and learn new skills to help them to be successful in their field.