Master of Science in Nursing

MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track – MS1238 (Online) & MS1237 (Hybrid)

School of Nursing
Athens Campus (Main Office)
Grover Center E365
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-4494
800-560-0144 (toll free)
nursing@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode:  Online, Hybrid

Terms of Entry:  Summer

Program Overview

The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships, and facilitates regional collaboration that will enhance the health of diverse communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program consists of both didactic and practice-based or clinical performance courses. The didactic courses present the nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that inform patient care and evidence-based practice. The practice-based courses provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge; practice skills, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and programs; and learn the full scope of the role for which they are preparing.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as a PMHNP. The PMHNP provides advanced psychiatric skills needed to offer therapy, prescribe psychiatric medications and clinical management to under-served patients with mental illness and chronic medical co-morbidities. As a graduate, a student is eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination for the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (Across the Lifespan) national certification.

Clinical practicum experiences occur in mental-health care settings under the supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 500 direct care hours. Students taking the typical 2 courses per semester course load can complete the programs in 6 semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge derived from a scientific foundation and evidence-based practice to demonstrate expertise in advanced nursing practice.
• Analyze health care policies to enhance and improve population health outcomes across diverse clinical practice settings.
• Demonstrate leadership and inter-professional collaboration for improving clinical prevention and health outcomes.
• Synthesize and apply quality improvement strategies to promote positive health outcomes.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and confidence for entry-level advanced nursing practice.
• Integrate knowledge and skills related to healthcare informatics in the advanced nursing practice role.

Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates work in outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric emergency services, private practice, and hospitals. They also provide primary mental health care that involves continuous and comprehensive services necessary to improve mental health, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and health maintenance.  The PMHNP diagnoses, conducts therapy, and prescribes medications for patients who have mental health disorders. They may also serve as consultants or as educators.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters

Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nrse/knowledge-center/graduate/support-help/forms-resources.cfm

Admission Requirements

In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential MSN students must also supply/document the following:

• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from regionally accredited institution .
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years.
• Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in an approved state (https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-application-process)
• A web-based admission interview with faculty

Pre-Clinical Requirements

See Graduate Nursing Handbook.

• Specified health status/clinical requirements (i.e., immunization status, ACLS certification)
• Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
• Evidence of malpractice insurance

International Students

This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete 37 credit hours as follows: