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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, MSN

Advance Your Nursing Career to the Next Level

  • One-on-one learning faculty engagement model
  • Committed to excellence in practice and cura personalis
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis for all upcoming terms

What Makes Us Unique?

  • Synchronous and asynchronous learning which gives the student an opportunity to study from home, yet interact with peers and full-time, PhD faculty with PMHNP specialization.
  • There are two intensive immersive campus-based experiences which will be an opportunity for the student to do simulation and receive feedback to improve psychiatric nursing skills.
  • An online orientation to distance learning from the graduate office to support graduate students and give information about the various university departments that are available for inquiries.

Online Program

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  • Duration 21
  • Cost per Credit $965
  • Credit Hours 42

Program Benefits

  • Opportunity to meet with faculty and other students in a synchronous environment as well as during the immersive experience for clinical courses.
  • The ability to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
  • The program outcomes and curriculum reflect AACN Essentials (2021), the guidelines outlined in the Criteria for Evaluation of NP Programs (2022), the NP Core Competencies (2022, the NONPF Distance Learning 2023 Guidelines, and the NCSBN APRN Distance Education Requirements.
  • Full-time, PhD prepared, PMHNP faculty providing instruction

Leading the Future of Mental Healthcare

Earning a PMHNP degree positions you as a leader in mental health care, tackling one of society's most pressing challenges. This advanced degree equips you with the skills to deliver patient-centered care, paving the way for a fulfilling and in-demand career.

Become part of a dedicated community of compassionate professionals committed to reshaping mental health care. With a PMHNP degree, you'll elevate your career and emerge as a trusted advocate and leader in the field.

Thriving in a Growing Field of Expertise

The demand for mental health professionals continues to rise due to increasing awareness of mental health issues, higher rates of mental illness, and the growing recognition of the importance of mental health care. PMHNPs have a wide range of career options, including positions in hospitals, private practices, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, and schools.2

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of nurse practitioners, including PMHNPs, will grow much faster than the average for all occupations, with a projected growth rate of about 40% from 2021 to 2031. Salary.com lists the median annual salary as $112,000 to $130,000 per year, depending on specific job roles and locations.1

CAREER OUTLOOK

Explore the Curriculum: PMHNP, MSN Program

The PMHNP, MSN curriculum at Scranton combines advanced nursing education with specialized training in mental health care. Core courses include Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Clinical Assessment, providing the foundational knowledge necessary for comprehensive care. Students also gain skills in Evidence-Based Practice and explore the healthcare systems and policies that shape mental health services. 

The 42-credit program can be completed in 21 months of full-time study, and it also has a part-time option.


 

CURRICULUM

Program Outcomes:

By the time you graduate, you'll be able to:

Develop advanced clinical expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders across the lifespan, from children to older adults
Focus on holistic, patient-centered care, addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of mental health
Utilize current research and evidence-based practices to continuously improve care outcomes for patients with psychiatric conditions

Admission Requirements

To apply for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN, you'll need:

Completed application (There is NO fee to apply.)
ADMISSIONS INFO

Tuition Details

The tuition for the PMHNP, MSN program at Scranton is $965 per credit hour. The total number of credits required for program completion is 42.

Additional fees, such as registration, textbooks, and clinical placement costs, may apply. 

SEE TUITION

Financial Aid

Financial aid options are available to help you pay for your education. A personal financial aid counselor will assist you in identifying and taking full advantage of all opportunities.

FINANCIAL AID

A Faculty and Staff of Engaged Professionals

You will learn from an incomparable faculty of skillful nursing educators who pride themselves in their teaching, research and service.

Our mentoring faculty and staff can help you reach your academic and professional goals, and they’ll work alongside you to assist with personal academic planning throughout the program.

FACULTY AT SCRANTON

Sources:

  1. U.S. Bureau and Labor Statistics. (2022, March 31). Occupational employment and wages, May 2021. 29-1171 Nurse practitioners. Occupational employment and wage statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm
  2. American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2022). APNA 2022 psychiatric mental health nursing workforce report. https://omsapaprod.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/APNA-Workforce-Survey-Data-Report-8.15.22.pdf