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A Health professional meeting with a client: Explore Regent's fully online DNP PMHNP program.

DNP in APRN – PMHNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (licensure)

Catalyze the Integration Of Mind & Body Across Healthcare Settings

Regent’s fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is designed to prepare nursing leaders who are looking to obtain a terminal degree in their practice, sit for national certification, and become eligible for their APRN licensure. The PMHNP concentration can prepare you to lead and educate others and use high-quality, evidence-based strategies to evaluate, diagnose, manage, promote, and advocate for safe care for patients, families, and communities with acute, common, or chronic mental health conditions.

Online w/ Residency
74
January 13, 2025
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Expand Your Career Opportunities with the PMHNP Program

Become an expert clinician and scholar in the mental health field and provide holistic care as an advanced practice nurse.

Build on a Strong Foundation

Learn to respond to the mental health needs of patients across their lifespan through a Christian worldview.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024).

Fulfill A Need

The United States Bureau for Labor Statistics predicted that openings for nurse practitioners in the U.S. will increase 45% between 2020 and 2030, and that between 2014 and 2024, every state in the U.S. will see an increase in jobs for nurse practitioners.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Upon successful completion of the PMHNP online program, you can:

  • Teach, advocate, promote, and protect the dignity and safety of patients and families living with mental illness.
  • Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with evidence-based psychiatric care.
  • Research and develop innovative healthcare practices to improve patient delivery and outcomes.
  • Advance and transform psychiatric nursing care through education and research.

Career Opportunities

  • Psychiatric Center
  • Public Mental Health Agencies
  • Residential Treatment
  • Remote Telehealth
  • Advanced Organizational and Professional Nursing Leader
  • Clinical or Academic Nursing Educator

This post-master’s DNP program is a minimum of 74 credit hours in length*. Core concentration courses are outlined as follows:

Featured Courses
APRN 551Advanced Physical Practice Health Assessment Evaluation
This comprehensive evaluation is for Program concentrations. Students participate in a scheduled face-to-face (or video) activity and demonstrate a comprehensive advanced physical assessment following NURS 550 course and prior to participating in APRN practicum courses. Demonstration of specific skills related to Advanced Practice Nursing.
APRN 705Global Health Challenges & Disparities of Mental Health2
Addresses mental health needs among diverse global populations educating culturally competent skills and strategies which include mental health assessment, interventions, treatment planning, and evaluation. Mental health disorders and treatment efficacy will be examined among different cultures and countries with various levels of available resources and within the context of their specific struggles, societal norms and values.
APRN 775Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders3
Examine mental health disorders through the complex intersections of human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing the context necessary to develop foundational knowledge of major mental disorders across lifespan. Genetics, human development, degeneration, behaviors, infection, and injury will be examined related to their potential causation and contribution to exacerbation as well as their impact on treatment.
APRN 777Psychopharmacology3
Examine best practices in clinical uses of psychotropic drugs to treat mental health disorders across lifespan within a client-centered comprehensive treatment plan. Risk and benefits of various psychopharmacological interventions including pharmacodynamics, neuropharmacological mechanisms, and common drug interactions within the context of patient safety and effective outcomes will be reviewed.
APRN 779Psychotherapeutic Theories & Clinical Interventions3
This course explores the treatment of mental disorders across lifespan through applications of various evidence-based brief and long-term treatment modalities. It provides an overview of theories of treatment modalities related to pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and alternative interventions, self-reflection, and a clinical outcome measurement tools.
APRN 780Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I3
Engage in activities that expand and demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary of the role of a PMHNP in a practice setting with adult clients across the lifespan. Students will demonstrate competencies in safe, collaborative, evidence-based and ethically sound provision of mental health care with a preceptor. Students will complete 250 clinical hours during this course.
APRN 781Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II4
Experience specific tasks associated with the role of a PMHNP while working with children, adolescents, and families. Students will demonstrate competencies in safe, collaborative, evidenced-based and ethically sound provision of mental health care within a rapidly changing mental healthcare delivery system through clinical experiences, class content and other assignments and activities. Students will complete 250 clinical hours during this course.
APRN 782Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III4
Expand and demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for PMHNP practices while working with adult and aging adult clients. Students will demonstrate competencies in safe, collaborative, evidenced-based and ethically sound provision of mental health care within a rapidly changing mental healthcare delivery system through clinical experiences, class content and other assignments and activities. Students will complete 250 clinical hours during this course.
APRN 797Comprehensive Concentration Review1
This is a comprehensive review and practice exam designed to demonstrate competencies for the nurse practitioner population specialty of an APRN students preparing for the licensure examination.

* The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) requires all DNP students to complete a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours post-BSN.  The final credit hours required will depend on the number of clinical hours students obtained previously during post-BSN practicum courses.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

Prerequisites

DNP in APRN applicants must:

  • Have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA in previously completed nursing courses.
  • Report no more than two previous documented failures in DNP courses.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire

Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 4: Submit Your Resume

All graduate nurse candidates are required to submit a resume demonstrating one year of full time clinical RN experience prior to entering the degree program. Please submit to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Nursing License

To be admitted to the DNP program, you must submit an active unencumbered/unrestricted Registered Nurse license from your state of practice. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 6: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 7: Faculty Interview

Interviews for the DNP program are by invitation only after review of the completed application by School of Nursing faculty. Interviews are held virtually with faculty and will take place via Zoom or Skype to best assist with an interactive interview experience for our applicants. It is expected that the candidate will be willing to discuss personal history within the interview process. Additional details will be provided to those invited for an interview.

Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The School of Nursing reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission to the DNP program.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5806$3,480

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5809$5,220

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5806$3,480

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5809$5,220

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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