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Post-Masters Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley makes it easy for online students to ask questions and find the answers they need. Below are many of the most frequently asked questions about the Post- Masters Certificate Program-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Call (956-665-3661) or (956-882-6552) to speak with an Admissions Advisor
The online Certificate PMHNP program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is open to licensed nurses who hold a master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner in their state accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The school must also be a regionally accredited institution.
Having a master’s degree with the 3P Courses (Human Physiology Pathophysiology & Advanced Health Assessment & Advanced Pharmacology) also qualify for admission.
You may contact the program staff member under program contacts or if you would like advising, contact the program coordinator.
Yes. The Post-Masters Certificate program at UTRGV is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Information related to this accreditation may be obtained by contacting CCNE at 655 K Street NW Suite 750 Washington DC 20001, (202) 887-6791. Additionally, UTRGV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
No, we do not require a GRE score to apply to the Post-Masters Certificate Program-PMHNP. For more information about the admissions process, please see our Graduate Admissions page.
Click on the site below:
http://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-new-and-current-students/newly-admittedstudents/index.htm
As an online student at UTRGV, you'll log on to a powerful online learning system to complete assignments and learning assessments, just like you would in a traditional graduate course. Through lively discussion forums, you'll also interact frequently with other students and professors. Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night, but assignments must be completed by the due dates set up by each professor.
Most students spend about 15-20 hours per week on their online studies. Of course, study time required per week and the time it takes to earn the online Post-Masters Certificate Program will vary based on your own study habits. Don't forget, the online Post-Masters Certificate program at UTRGV is designed for busy, working graduate prepared nurses so you can adapt it to your current schedule.
No. The practicum cannot be completed at your place of work, Psychiatry Mental health is a very specific part of the profession and only a clinical Preceptor by a Board-Certified Psychiatrist or an ANCC Certified Advance Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse practitioner is allowed. The setting of the practicum should allow you to demonstrate high-level communication, professionalism, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.
All transcripts from every college course taken are required to be sent directly to the Graduate College. No Transcripts will be sent to the Program Director/Coordinator unless specifically requested.
Ohio, Delaware, Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, California
No, the student is responsible for obtaining a clinical site approved by UTRGV Clinical Advisors in their state of residence.
Yes, but only 75 hours of the total 520 hours required of the program.
520 total hours
Yes, to become a PMHNP, registered nurses must complete a PMHNP program that has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the National League for Nursing (NLN). RNs who complete an accredited PMHNP program and who wish to become nationally certified must apply to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is the only organization that currently offers national certification in advanced practice psychiatric nursing. Nurses who wish to obtain a license in their state or any other state must contact that state’s Board of Nursing to see if they can obtain licensure with the UTRGV Certificate.
The Required Graduate Core Courses for the UTRGV Online PMHNP Program include, with No exceptions:
- Human Physiology and Pathophysiology: The structure and function of the different organs and organ systems within the human body. The role and anatomy of different cells and tissues are also discussed. How a healthy human body functions across the lifespan, and how different factors (ex. environment, age, lifestyle) can affect human health at different life stages. Students will learn how to apply their understanding of human anatomy and physiology to health assessments and clinical decisions.
- Advanced Health Assessment: The methods and principles of taking accurate medical histories. How to collect, analyze, and synthesize information about patients’ physical, emotional, and mental characteristics to create an actionable understanding of their health. How to also take cultural and social considerations into account when assessing patient health and developing an effective health care plan.
- Advanced Pharmacology: The different classes of medicines and their effect on the human body. Common diseases and conditions, and how various drugs act at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ systems levels to treat different ailments. The principles of drug metabolism, dose-response relationships, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics.
Please click on this link below:
https://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/paying-for-college/cost-of-attendance/index.htm Or call 1-888-882-4026
State hospitals, Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals, Private Psychiatric Practice, Public Mental Health Centers, Outpatient clinics, and limited Tele-Psychiatry are all excellent clinical sites to choose from. The agency should be interested in the education of nurse practitioners and value the role of the nurse practitioner. Staff should be friendly and welcoming to the student. The clinical site should be a successful clinic and respected by the health care profession. The clinic and preceptor should have a patient population throughout the lifespan.
While we do not have a set number of hours for different populations it is a PMHNP program and students are encouraged to pursue hours in pediatrics/adolescent since there will be pediatric/adolescent/adult questions on the boards. I would recommend at least 120 hours devoted to adolescent/pediatric psychiatry for a well-rounded clinical experience on the boards if possible.
Only a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with > 1-year experience post residency graduation certified by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (ABPN) or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) can be a preceptor. No Exceptions. Professionally, the preceptor must exhibit interest and involvement in the advanced nurse practitioner role. The preceptor serves as host, sponsor, teacher, and role model for the student at the clinical site. Professional qualities that are needed to preceptor the PMHNP student are: interest in professional growth and continued learning; involvement in the agency and community; secure in role; confident, knowledgeable, and competent; respect of peers; and ability to deal with conflict. Students may contact a potential preceptor via phone, set up an interview time and go prepared with a CV. Helpfulness, caring, flexibility, and enthusiasm are personal qualities that students value. Enjoyment of teaching, commitment to students, and willingness to work with beginners are important characteristics in the development of a positive student/preceptor relationship.
Yes, we call those adjunct instructors “Clinical Faculty,” and every student will have one assigned. You will be placed in a clinical group several weeks before beginning NURS 6475 & 6476. You will remain in this group until you graduate, and every effort will be made to keep you with the same Clinical Faculty throughout your clinical courses.
The students will use TYPHON Group you will quickly and easily enter all Clinical Encounter information on one page, including patient demographics, diagnosis and procedure codes, skills, medications, and clinical notes, without entering any HIPAA-protected health information. Using Time Logs, students are able to enter shift time and time spent in other daily activities. These logs can be monitored by faculty or preceptors/supervisors to ensure accuracy.
The program will use Black Board LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor for secure on-line testing; all examinations are closed book examinations. Discussion boards are used weekly and assignments are turned in during the courses. All grades are based on 100%; please review the university grading policy.
https://www.utrgv.edu/online/getting-support/student-support/respondus/index.htm
Please visit this website https://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/grades-and-transcripts/index.htm
Once accepted you will receive notification from the graduate college ONLY and directions will be given with your acceptance letter for deadlines.
The Graduate College will give you directions and this information can be found in the degree plan according to semester.
March 1st of every year.
Semester 2 During NURS 6475 & 6476 which is the fall semester of the program every year.
"Students are encouraged to "shadow" a PMHNP for a day or two. Learn as much as you can about the role by meeting APRNs, attending professional meetings, and/or reviewing the local and national websites.
Are international students eligible to apply for this program? At this time, the program is only open to United States Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) and individuals who hold an H1-B Visa or other valid U.S. work visa.