Course Descriptions for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP)

HPMH 711 Clinical Correlations I (1)

The content of this simulation course is integrated with the topics being presented in HPMH 776 Foundations in Assessment of Psychiatric Mental Health and HPMH 777 Psychopharmacology I for the PMHNP. This course provides initial clinical correlation with didactic content, along with an introduction to clinical scenarios using standardized patients. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to perform and document a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, initiate and interpret relevant diagnostic tests and procedures, and evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of psychopharmacology therapies.

HPMH 712 Clinical Correlations II (1)

The content of this simulation course is integrated with the topics being presented in HPMH 779 Foundations in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, HPMH 780 Psychopharmacology II for the PMHNP, and HPMH 781 Psychotherapy II: Use of Psychotherapies for Treatment of Disorders. Students will demonstrate the clinical reasoning steps that underpin the development of differential diagnosis and apply DSM V and IDC-10 psychiatric and mental health conditions when developing diagnoses. In addition, students will continue to advance assessment and psychopharmacology knowledge and skills.

HPMH 775 Neuro Anatomy & Physiology (4)

This course will cover fundamental issues of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurochemistry of brain systems and an overview of basic brain-behavior principles as they apply to current models of cognitive processes. 

HPMH 914 Ethics and Legal Realities of Practice (2)

This course reviews psychiatric mental health scope of practice standards, local, state, and federal policies and regulations that govern practice, and the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Ways to identify and resolve ethical and legal dilemmas encountered by the PMHNP and topics such as consumer autonomy, dignity, and rights, the application of ethical principles in professional practice, and advocacy to improve access and parity of mental health services are discussed.

HPMH 776 Foundations in Assessment of Psychiatric Mental Health (4)

Use of psychological tests in the evaluation of the relationship between brain and behavior across the life span. The goal of this course is to acquaint students with modern neuropsychological approaches to normal and abnormal behavior along with methods of assessing the neurological basis of behavioral problems.

HPMH 777 Psychopharmacology I for the PMHNP (2)

This course focuses on categories of medications specific to individuals with psychiatric illness and mental disorders. This didactic course will cover the principles and practice of psychopharmacotherapy of the major psychiatric disorders. Topics covered include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanisms of action of the commonly used drugs in neuropsychiatry. The psychopharmacologic treatments of mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and personality disorders will be emphasized. Also covered are drug treatments in the elderly, during pregnancy, and in the medically ill.

HPMH 778 Psychotherapy I: A review of psychotherapies (3)

This course provides a comprehensive review of the major systems of psychotherapy. The implications of psychotherapy systems for case formulation and the similarities and differences between different psychotherapy systems are reviewed. The course places special emphasis on the key assumptions of various applied theories, the role and basic methods of clinical assessment, the stages of therapy, the role of the therapeutic relationship, and the goals and strategies to effect change. Units on gender-sensitive psychotherapy and culture-sensitive psychotherapy are included. Research bearing on and based on these systems is considered. 

HPMH 779 Foundations in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders (5)

This course presents an in-depth analysis of the DSM-V and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for major categories of psychopathology. The concepts of mental illness in general, as well as specific categories of mental illness such as schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, organic brain disease and personality disorders are covered. This course also introduces the concept of the role of mental status and behavioral observations as part of the diagnostic formulation.

HPMH 780 Psychopharmacology II for the PMHNP (2)

This course builds on PMH 777 and challenges students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills as they apply psychopharmacologic principles to a wide array of chronic and acute clinical conditions. Students will learn to synthesize information as it relates to psychopharmacological treatment of disease components across the life span. Prerequisite: HPMH 777 Psychopharmacology I for the PMHNP

HPMH 781 Psychotherapy II: Use of Psychotherapies for Treatment of Disorders (2) 

This course will emphasize the use of empirically supported therapeutic methodologies to facilitate behavior change for a variety of clinical problems in children, adolescents, and adults. The application of different learning principles and specific techniques of therapeutic change will be covered including parent-training interventions. The student will learn to solve problems encountered in practical application of cognitive and behavioral techniques. Emphasis will be placed on methods and procedures effective in the elimination of inappropriate behaviors and the acquisition and maintenance of appropriate behaviors. Prerequisite: HPMH 778 Psychotherapy I: A review of psychotherapies

HPMH 782 Assessment, Diagnosis, Management of Child & Adolescent Mental Health (4)

This course is designed to enhance capabilities to assess, diagnose and manage behavioral and mental health disorders seen in children and adolescents. Key components of the course include behavioral and mental health screening, appropriate use of valid and reliable screening tools, assessment and diagnosis formulation consistent with the current edition of the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual, and evidence-based treatment and management. Collaboration with members of the pediatric healthcare team, and care coordination and specialist referral strategies will be incorporated into the study of each disorder. Prerequisites: HPMH 776 Foundations in Assessment of Psychiatric Mental Health & HPMH 779 Foundations in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders (5)

HPMH 783 Assessment, Diagnosis, Management of Addictive Disorders (3)

This course will enhance the student’s understanding of addiction disorders. By weaving elements of basic science, assessment, and diagnosis, students will learn to manage addiction disorders using integrated knowledge to propose evidenced based approaches. Special attention will focus on co-occurring disease process and disorders across the lifespan. Prerequisites: HPMH 776 Foundations in Assessment of Psychiatric Mental Health & HPMH 779 Foundations in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

HPMH784 Delivering Community Mental Health Services to the Vulnerable and Underserved (3)

This course provides students an opportunity to explore community-based psychiatric/mental health nursing care strategies within the context of serving vulnerable and underserved populations in the United States. Particular attention will be paid to exploring social influencers of health, community mental health assessment strategies, common barriers to effective healthcare, and risk stratification. Emphasis will also be placed on the constructions, meaning, and experiences of difference in an effort to prepare students to function as culturally responsive and ethical PMHNPs.

HPMH 810 Clinical Residency I (9) (224 clinical hours)

This clinical residency is the first of five applied professional experiences in the advanced-practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the life span. In this course, the student will engage in activities to develop competency in the comprehensive assessment of acute and chronic mental health conditions, in various settings, at program approved sites. Students will apply the knowledge and skills needed to perform and document a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, initiate and interpret relevant diagnostic tests and procedures, and evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of psychopharmacology therapies. This course also includes a seminar component (20 classroom hours) during which time the student presents case material from their clinical experiences using a clinical case presentation model, and participates in board prep activities. Prerequisite: Completion of all didactic curriculum in the preceding program of study.

HPMH 820 Clinical Residency II (9) (224 clinical hours)

This clinical residency is the second of five applied professional experiences in the advanced-practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the life span. In this course, the student will engage in activities to further refine assessment skills and to develop competency in the diagnostic reasoning process, at program approved sites. Students will demonstrate the clinical reasoning steps that underpin the development of differential diagnosis and apply DSM V and IDC-10 psychiatric and mental health conditions when developing diagnoses. In addition, students will continue to advance assessment and psychopharmacology knowledge and skills. This course also includes a seminar component (20 classroom hours) during which time the student presents case material from their clinical experiences using a clinical case presentation model, and participates in board prep activities. Prerequisite: Completion of HPMH 810.

HPMH 830 Clinical Residency III (9) (224 clinical hours)

This clinical residency is the third of five applied professional experiences in the advanced-practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the life span. In this course, the student will engage in activities to develop competency in the development and implementation of patient-centered treatment goals and plans, at approved clinical sites. Cognitive behavioral therapies, therapeutic relationships and counseling, and evidence based therapy techniques receive particular emphasis. Management of common psychiatric disorders via clinical practice guidelines is a third treatment thread. In addition, students will continue to advance and demonstrate assessment and diagnostic reasoning knowledge and skills, and appropriate use and management of psychopharmacology treatment. This course also includes a seminar component (20 classroom hours) during which time the student presents case material from their clinical experiences using a clinical case presentation model, and participates in board prep activities. Prerequisite: Completion of HPMH 820.

HPMH 840 Clinical Residency IV 9 (224 clinical hours)

This clinical residency is the fourth of five applied professional experiences in the advanced-practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the life span. In this course, the student will engage in activities that further develop competencies in all aspects of the standards of practice of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, at approved clinical sites. Additional emphasis will be placed on activities related to care coordination and collaboration, health teaching and group therapies, consultation, leadership, resource utilization, and evaluation of professional practice. This course also includes a simulation component (20 classroom hours) during which time students undergo evaluation of their progress toward demonstration of entry-level competency in assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, and the therapeutic planning and implementation of psychiatric mental health nursing practice. Prerequisite: Completion of HPMH 830.

HPMH 850 Clinical Residency V (9) (224 clinical hours)

This clinical residency is the fifth of five applied professional experiences in the advanced-practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the life span. In this course, the student will engage in activities that demonstrate achievement of the full-spectrum of entry-level clinical practice outcomes, at approved clinical sites. This course also includes a seminar component (20 classroom hours) during which time the student presents case material from their clinical experiences using a clinical case presentation model, and demonstrates readiness to sit for the board exam. Prerequisite: Completion of HPMH 840.