Course Descriptions for Cert: PMHNP

NPMH 774 Foundations in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4)

This course introduces foundational theoretical frameworks and competencies to provide scaffolding for the psychiatric assessment/interview process. Students will analyze the social determinants of health and risks for violence that impact mental health care and the legal and ethical guidelines that frame mental health nursing care. The culmination of these activities is designed to foster critical thinking and help students develop a broader view of mental health disorder formulation.

NPMH 775 Neuro Anatomy, Physiology & Behavior (4)

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

NPMH 776 Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health Disorders I (4)

This course is the first of two courses that present an in-depth analysis of the DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria for major categories of psychopathology across the life-span. The student will develop the competencies to analyze assessment data and create and differentiate DSM diagnoses critically. 

NPMH 785 Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Disorders I (3)

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. Prerequisite: NDNP 753 Advanced Pharmacology or equivalent 

NPMH 787 Psychotherapy for Mental Health Disorders (4)

This course provides an overview of major concepts, theories, and research related to psychotherapeutic treatments for mental disorders across the lifespan. Integration of psychotherapeutic and treatment planning and applying evidence-based brief psychotherapies for treating particular disorders, symptoms and issues will be examined. Upon completing this course, the student will develop competencies in two psychotherapeutic modalities, one of which will be a cognitive-based therapy approach. 

NPMH 779 Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health Disorders II (5)

This course presents an in-depth analysis of the DSM-V TR 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.

NPMH 786 Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Disorders II (3)

This course is the second of two courses that focus on the principles and practice of psychopharmacotherapy of the major psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Students will develop competencies in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanisms of action of the commonly used drugs to treat psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Prerequisite: NPMH 785

NPMH 811 Clinical Residency (5) (120 clinical hours)

This clinical residency for advanced practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan, is the first of five applied professional experiences in the DNP: PMHNP program. 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.

NPMH 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 evidence-based approaches. Special attention will focus on co-occurring disease process and disorders across the lifespan.

NPMH 821 Clinical Residency II (7) (200 clinical hours)

This clinical residency for advanced practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan, is the second of five applied professional experiences in the DNP: PMHNP program. In this course, the student will engage in activities to 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 and IDC 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. 

NPMH 789 Special Populations for Mental Health Disorders (4)

This course enables students to investigate the skills and competencies necessary for providing care to vulnerable and underserved populations in the United States throughout their lifespan. Special attention will focus on assessment strategies, examining social determinants of health, common barriers to access to adequate healthcare, and risk stratification. Considerable emphasis will also be placed on the constructions, meanings, and experiences of difference, preparing students to work as culturally responsive and ethical PMHNPs.

NPMH 831 Clinical Residency III (7) (200 clinical hours)

This clinical residency for advanced practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan, is the third of five applied professional experiences in the DNP: PMHNP program. 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.

NPMH 841 Clinical Residency IV (8) (230 clinical hours)

This clinical residency for advanced practice of psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan, is the fourth of five applied professional experiences in the DNP: PMHNP program. 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.