Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist Graduate Programs

<h2 id="section---ComparingMentalHealthClinicalNurseSpecialistGraduatePrograms">Comparing Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist Graduate Programs</h2> <h3 id="section---MasterOfScienceInNursingPsychMentalHealthNursePractitionerProgram">Master of Science in Nursing Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program</h3> <p>Focusing on the Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration within a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares students for a career providing primary care to individuals in need of psychiatric or mental health assistance. Full-time students will complete this program within 1.5 to 2 years. To be admitted into an MSN PMHNP program, aspiring students must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a degree in nursing combined with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. They also must meet GPA requirements, have taken their Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last 5 years, and hold a current Registered Nurse (RN) license. </p> <h3 id="section---MasterOfScienceInNursingAndPostMasterSProgram">Master of Science in Nursing and Post Master's Program</h3> <p>Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post Master's programs provide bachelor's or master's educated Registered Nurses (RN) with the education to become an administrator, educator or nurse practitioner. Students who enroll in a track focusing on psychiatric/mental health will develop the skills and theoretical knowledge to assist patients through pharmacological treatment, diagnostic and treatment modalities and how to collaborate with other health-care professionals in the workplace. Students interested in this program must have a bachelor's degree for the master's track or a master's degree to enroll in the post master's program. Students will also need to meet the minimum score requirements within their GRE and GPA, have an unrestricted RN license and at least one year of clinical experience as an RN. Full-time students can complete this program within 1 to 2 years. </p> <h3 id="section---PostMasterSPsychMentalHealthNursePractitionerCertificate">Post-Master's Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate</h3> <p>Graduates of an MSN program who want to assess acute or chronic psychiatric needs of families or individuals can enroll in a post-master's program focusing on psych-mental health nursing. Graduates will be able to prescribe medications; deliver a diagnosis and provide a course of treatment and management for mental health patients. This program prepares graduates for their American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (NP) exam so they can work in their own private practice or in a mental health organization. To enroll in this program, graduates will need to provide transcripts from their bachelor's and MSN programs and proof of their RN license. Some programs also require students to complete 1,000 clinical hours as an RN verified by their employer prior to enrollment. Full-time students can complete this program within 1.5 to 2 years. </p> <h3 id="section---PsychiatricMentalHealthNursePractitionerDoctorsOfNursingPracticeDNPProgram">Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) program</h3> <p>Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners who want to take their education further and address emerging issues within the field can enroll in a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner DNP program. Graduates of this type of program will work with individuals, families, and groups in long-term care settings, county psychiatric hospitals and forensic facilities. Prospective students of this program will need a bachelor's degree in nursing and a valid RN license. Full-time students can complete this program within 2 to 4.5 years. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Degree Program</th><th>Program Length</th><th>Program Requirements</th><th>Related Careers</th></tr> <tr><td> Master of Science in Nursing Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program </td><td> 1.5 - 2 years </td><td> *Bachelor of Science OR <br /> *A degree in nursing combined with a non-nursing bachelor's degree <br /> *GRE <br /> *RN </td><td> *Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner</td></tr> <tr><td> Master of Science in Nursing and Post Master's Program </td><td> 1.5 - 2 years </td><td> *Bachelor's degree OR <br /> * Master's degree <br /> *GRE <br /> *RN <br /> *1 year clinical experience</td><td> *Administrator <br /> *Educator <br /> *Nurse Practitioner</td></tr> <tr><td> Post-Master's Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate </td><td> 1 - 2 years </td><td> *Bachelor's Degree <br /> *MSN <br /> *RN <br /> *1,000 clinical hours </td><td> *Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner</td></tr> <tr><td> Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) </td><td> 2 - 4.5 years </td><td> *Bachelor's degree in nursing <br /> *RN </td><td> *Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner <br /> *Educator <br /> *Management Positions <br /> *Administration, healthcare policy or government positions</td></tr> </table><p>Students who possess a bachelor's of science in nursing and have an interest in helping patients with psychiatric/mental health issues might consider applying for a graduate nursing program specializing in the psychiatric/mental health field. Students who wish to work as a nurse practitioner can enroll in an MSN or DNP program, however, students interested in management, administration, policy or government positions should enroll in a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner DNP program.</p>