MSN in APRN – PMHNP
Master of Science in Nursing in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Care for Patients’ Mind & Body Across Healthcare Settings
Are you ready to advance in your career while improving the health outcomes for patients in the latter stage of life? Regent’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) can prepare you to provide holistic care to patients and their families with common, acute or chronic mental health problems. Through the PMHNP online program, you can learn to use advanced clinical judgment and practice to evaluate, diagnose and manage a plan of care for those struggling with various mental health issues. You can also learn a variety of techniques and services that are specifically geared toward populations based on age of life, diagnosis and healthcare settings. Available 100% online with practicums in your community and with only one scheduled on-campus event in Virginia Beach planned during the program. Learn more about the benefits of pursuing an advanced nursing degree. You can be eligible to apply for the APRN certification examination upon successfully completing this concentration.
BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
Learn to respond to the mental health needs of patients across their lifespan through a Christian worldview.
Expand Your Career Opportunities with the PMHNP PROGRAM
Train to lead and facilitate as an advanced practice nurse and expert clinician in the mental health field.
Sharpen Your Skills
Gain the leadership training necessary to improve mental health services in various inpatient and outpatient settings.
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 (2025). We are also both military and transfer-friendly.
Fulfill the In-Demand Need WITH THE PMHNP Online PROGRAM
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:
- 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.
- Develop innovative healthcare practices to improve patient delivery and outcomes.
- Advance and transform psychiatric nursing care through education and research.
Career Opportunities
- Primary Care
- Psychiatric Centers
- Inpatient Settings
- Public Mental Health Agencies
- Residential Treatment
- Outpatient Private Practice Settings
As a graduate of Regent University’s PMHNP program, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This type of certification is usually necessary to obtain a state license to practice with prescriptive authority, per your state regulations.
Prerequisites
MSN in APRN program applicants must:
- Have a Bachelor's of Science 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 MSN 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 to regent.edu/items.
Step 5: Submit Your Nursing License
To be admitted to the MSN 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 MSN-APRN 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 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 MSN-APRN 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
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 3 | $1,740 |
| MSN | $590 | 6 | $3,540 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
| MSN | $590 | 9 | $5,310 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 3 | $1,740 |
| MSN | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
| MSN | $580 | 9 | $5,220 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Regent University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Regent are pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
APRN stands for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) are essentially the same. They are responsible for the same duties though they are identified differently from state to state.
An APRN, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, is a primary care provider and has been educated at a master’s or post-master’s level. APRNs typically go through specialized training for a specific patient population. Their certification through higher education allows APRNs to “assess, diagnose, and manage patient problems, order tests, and prescribe medications.” [1]
The PMHNP online program at Regent University can teach you the necessary skills to diagnose and treat mental illnesses through prescriptions and therapy. A holistic perspective will allow you to care for the body and mind while meeting the needs of each patient.
How to become an APRN
To become an APRN, an individual must complete an advanced nursing degree, complete clinical hours, pass a national certification exam, and apply for licensure in their state of practice. [2] The individual must already have a registered nurse (RN) license before pursuing an advanced practice nurse license.
- Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
A bachelor’s degree is necessary before pursuing a master’s degree in nursing to become an APRN. You can transfer your experience as an RN to a bachelor’s degree with Regent’s fully online RN to B.S. in Nursing program.
- Achieve an advanced nursing degree.
The advanced nursing degree is the basis for RNs moving into APRN positions. Regent’s Master of Science in Nursing – APRN degree can prepare you to specialize for Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG CNS) or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Both areas are expected to grow substantially in the coming years.
- Complete the required clinical practice experience hours.
According to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), “Students must have the opportunity to practice and develop clinical/practice competencies that are appropriate for the degree level and for the role, population focus, and/or area for which they are being prepared.” [3] The amount of hours expected varies based on specialization.
- Pass a national APRN certification exam.
The exam that you will need to take depends on which specialization you seek to master. Several organizations offer the exams necessary to meet this requirement. The exams require a thorough knowledge of the subject matter studied during the degree program and insight gained from the clinical practice hours.
- Apply for licensure in your state of practice.
After passing the APRN certification exam, you can apply for licensure in the state you would like to practice in. Every state requires completion of the APRN certification exam, but some states have extra requirements. Your state of practice will also determine whether you can have an individual practice.
To demonstrate an advanced head-to-toe physical assessment on or near the Virginia Beach campus is an expectation of the Advanced Physical Assessment course. Specific details will be forthcoming as safety, travel, and scheduling are being considered on a semester-by-semester basis.
The median APRN salary was $117,670 or $56.67 per hour in 2020. The APRN career field is also growing nearly 6 times as fast as other occupations. [4]
References
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2009, February 19). APRNS in the U.S. NCSBN.
- 2U Incorporated. (2020, December 15). Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) career guide. Nursing License Map.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (2016, October). CCNE clinical practice experiences FAQs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021, June 2). Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved February 8, 2022.