Pyschiatric-Mental Health Nursing Program
The University of Virginia School of Nursing prepares for both Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner roles. The MSN degree with Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing concentration emphasizes the preparation of nurses for advanced practice roles in the care of adults with acute or chronic mental health psychiatric deviations in a variety of practice settings. Underserved populations and rural service delivery needs are highlighted throughout the program. Seminar course content focuses primarily on assessment and management of serious mental illness. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of neurobiologic, psychosocial and psychiatric nursing knowledge in delivery of care to individuals experiencing schizophrenic spectrum disorders, depression related syndromes and psychogeriatric illnesses.. Students can pursue preparation for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (C.N.S.) role, or as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner --- or pursue dual certification.
PMH CNS's are likely to be employed in inpatient psychiatric settings, general hospital settings and community mental health settings. In inpatient psychiatric settings the primary role is providing advanced assessments and intervention primarily using group and individual therapy modalities. In general hospital settings, the PMH CNS is likely to play a more consultative role that would include 1) reviewing, advising and intervening to improve the care of persons with mental health problems in addition to their medical issues; 2) designing treatment programs, strategies and interventions the care of persons with mental health problems in addition to their medical issues; 3) designing and delivering staff development programs to enhance the quality of nursing care. In community mental health settings, the CNS is likely to engage in any and all of the above roles ensuring that the highest quality of care is being delivered to a variety of populations.
Regarding the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role: Although it is possible to take all the credits for the PMH/CNS and the PMHNP within one program of studies, it is highly recommended that students graduate from the CNS-MSN program and separately enroll in the PMH-NP certificate program. This recommendation takes into consideration the licensing of NP's and CNS's by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the credentialing policies of third party payers, that require evidence of completing the programs separately in order to be appropriately licensed and to qualify for various practice reimbursement mechanisms.
Part-time students can enroll in any semester (fall, spring or summer).
Distance Learning:
The courses for the PMH program are taught in Charlottesville on Thursdays. Beginning in Fall 2008, these seminars will also be broadcast live via the internet. Students who live at a distance from the University can participate in these seminars from their home communities. Clinical practica could also be satisfied in your home community. The Advanced Practice core classes (graduate pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and APN role) are taught 'live' at the University only. Students could come to Grounds to take these courses, or transfer them in from another approved University.
Program Coordinator: Catherine Kane, PhD, RN, FAAN (434)924-0100, email: cfk9m@virginia.edu
Clinicals
Clinical placement sites are arranged in a variety of inpatient and community care settings appropriate to the interests and learning needs of the student. Students in the PMH Advanced Practice MSN complete 500 hours of clinical in the final two semesters of enrollment (GNUR 774 and GNUR 776).
Certification
Graduates of the CNS track are eligible for National Certification Examinations given by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center for the Psychiatric-Mental Health CNS.
Graduates of the PMHNP track or the PMHNP post-master’s certificate are eligible for National Certification Examinations given by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Master's of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and:
- Have a Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited (CCNE or NLN) school.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
- Hold an unencumbered RN license in the state where you intend to complete your practica.
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination.
- Submit clear written statements on educational and professional goals, as well as on diversity.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations. One of these letters should be from an APN.
- Submit a copy of your resume or C.V..
- Have completed an undergraduate or graduate statistics course within the past 5 years.
- Be available for an interview if requested.
Note: New BSN graduates may apply for any of the MSN specialty tracks. If you are a new nurse and applying for an Advanced Practice specialty track (NP or CNS), you should apply as a part-time student. You need at least one year of relevant post-BSN clinical nursing experience before enrolling in GNUR 550 (Advanced Pharmacology) and GNUR 551 (Advanced Health Assessment).
Application deadline:
Fall or Summer entry: April 1
Spring entry: November 1
All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are more than 5 years old. If you have your 'older' scores, you may submit a copy of the Student Report. Students who have already completed a graduate degree do not need to submit GRE scores. The Institutional Code for the University of Virginia is
R-5820. Because of some recent problems with receiving the ETS score reports, you may be asked to mail/fax a copy of your Student Score Report.
International applicants are required also to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. Visit their websites for more information. The University of Virginia institutional code number is R-5820, nursing #0610.
Downloads & Links
For More Information
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Addmissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.
Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, email hysell@virginia.edu