Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The primary goal of the Psychiatric Mental Health specialty track is to prepare graduates for professional opportunities as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Nurses completing the specialty are qualified and eligible to take the PMHNP certification examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Graduates are prepared to provide mental health, addiction and comorbid mental health services in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings such as primary care, schools, community and business settings. PMHNPs are able to provide care for children, adolescents and all ages of adults across the lifespan.

Through coursework and clinical experiences, our faculty help students to acquire the evidence-based knowledge, values and skills necessary for their roles as PHMNPs. Our central location, class schedules and preceptors throughout the state conveniently accommodate both part-time and full-time students. Our specialty meets the nurse practitioner curriculum guidelines of both the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and the American Nurses Credentialing Center certification.

At the heart of our master’s program are active, collaborative relationships between the College of Nursing faculty and community-based mental health programs as well as The Ohio State University Medical Center’s teaching hospitals. As part of the country’s most comprehensive health sciences center, our students benefit from access to cutting-edge research, evidence-based practices, a diverse selection of elective courses and interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Barbara Jones Warren
Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track

Message from the Director

Our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner track will prepare you to provide evidence-based mental health and addiction services for children, adolescents and adults of all ages.

Faculty

Samantha Ault
PhD, APRN-CNOP, PMHNP-BC
ault.142@osu.edu
Allison Brauch
DNP, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, AGNP-BC, CARN-AP
brauch.5@osu.edu
Shannon Linder
DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
linder.53@osu.edu
Amy E. Smith
DNP, MSW, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
smith.15079@osu.edu
Morgan Wiggins
DNP, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
wiggins.213@osu.edu

Available Degree Programs

This specialty can be completed at a distance through the following programs:

This specialty can be completed on campus through the following programs:

Skills

Graduates enter the workforce with the skills and competencies to: 

  • Provide mental health promotion and primary behavioral health care for individuals who have or are at risk for mental health and chemical dependency problems across the lifespan
  • Put theory and research into practice with individuals, groups, families and communities
  • Design, implement and evaluate behavioral health care strategies
  • Utilize leadership skills to effect positive change in policies
  • Adapt professionally to the constantly changing healthcare environment
  • Contribute to the advancement of the profession

Specialty Curriculum

  • Nursing 7340 Neuroscience Principles and Concepts
  • Nursing 7341 Advanced Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
  • Nursing 7348.01 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I
  • Nursing 7348.02 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II
  • Nursing 7348.03 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III
  • Nursing 7350 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Clinical Courses

Our specialty provides preceptors in a wide variety of geographic locations and clinical sites throughout Ohio and in other approved states where students may reside. Students collaboratively interact with all members of healthcare team. However, their clinical experiences must be precepted by PMHNPs and/or psychiatrists. Students must complete 600 clinical hours during their final year of study.

FAQs

Ryan Riggs
Ryan Riggs, graduate

“The reputation of Ohio State’s College of Nursing stands alone; its graduates boast an overly qualified, diverse and dynamic team who are passionate about protecting and shaping the landscape of mental healthcare.”