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MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Deliver Holistic Psychiatric Care Across the Lifespan as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The Master of Science Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program equips nurses with the advanced knowledge and skills required to assess and manage mental health disorders across the lifespan and to navigate ethical, legal, and cultural considerations specific to the psychiatric-mental health population. Through a combination of core nursing courses, specialized psychiatric nursing coursework, and extensive clinical practicum experiences, students learn to provide evidence-based care, advocate for patients, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. Graduates are prepared to pursue certification as a PMHNP through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The upcoming start date is expected to be January 7th, 2025, pending SACSCOC approval.

SACSCOC Accredited

Florida Southern College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral degrees. Florida Southern College also may offer credentials such as certificates at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Florida Southern College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur GA 30033-4097, or by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Top Reasons

Exceptional Support

Your program faculty and support staff will be active in your experience from start to finish. Our committed support system assists you in preparing for the national certification exam and helping you reach your professional goals. The PMHNP program strives to produce responsible and productive citizens who will promote and advance the communities they serve. Learn from professors who will guide and mentor you toward success.

High Demand

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Practitioner positions are projected to experience a remarkable 17% increase by 2030, highlighting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. The Nurse Practitioner profession is the number one career across multiple ranked lists in 2024. As an NP, you'll play a pivotal role in patient care, blending clinical expertise with compassionate care to make a profound difference in people's lives.

Personalized Approach

Your program’s faculty and support staff will be active in your experience from start to finish. They will work with you to identify your goals and help you reach them as you move toward starting your career as a certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Our MSN faculty seek to create a positive and supportive environment where students can grow personally and professionally.

Meet Our Mocs

Ernie Parani, APRN
Kara Pinero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Laurel Lawerence, APRN
Samantha Rios
Satoria Reid-Rowe, APRN, Family Practice
Colleen Wallace, MSN, NP-C
Mary Cornejo
Melissa Welch, MSN, APRN
Jeanne  B. Jenkins, Ph.D., MSN, MBA, RN

Featured Faculty

Jeanne Jenkins

My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that learning should be student-centered. I encourage students to grow as individuals and to connect their learning and critical thinking skills to the world around them. I strive to be an active participant in the growth and well-being of individuals within my circle of influence while demonstrating integrity, respect, passion, empathy, caring and patience.

Program Details

Admission Requirements

  • Official transcripts of all academic work
  • BSN from a regionally-accredited institution and a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited nursing program
  • Record and submit three short videos (no more than 2 minutes each) answering the following prompts:
    1. Where do you see yourself in five years as a nurse practitioner, nurse leader, or nurse educator?
    2. Why is now the right time for you to begin a graduate nursing program?
    3. Graduate school will put significant demands on your time, energy, and financial resources. What do you see as your most significant challenges for meeting the didactic and clinical requirements for the program?
  • Current Résumé
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
  • Required prerequisite courses completed with a “C” or better: health assessment, nursing research or evidence-based practice, and statistics or biostatistics course.
  • Proof of current active licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Florida.
  • Personal interview may be required for eligible candidates
  • Completion of a criminal background check, proof of immunization, and ten-panel drug screen (if admitted)

Additional International Requirements

  • Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
  • Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
  • Sponsor's Guarantee Form
  • Valid Passport
  • Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****

** SpanTran (discount available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny, or World Education Services or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.

*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.

**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.

Course Delivery

On Campus

Students will be required to come to campus at least once per month during each semester. The majority of courses will be delivered online providing asynchronous learning opportunities with some hybrid components.

Curriculum

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Core Curriculum - 18 hours

Course NumberTitle

NUR 5120

Leadership, Role Development, and Advocacy for Advanced Nursing Practice

NUR 5150

Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan

NUR 5200

Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan

NUR 5220

Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnoses Across the Lifespan

NUR 5250

Evidence Translation and Quality Improvement for Advanced Nursing Practice

NUR 5400

Health Promotion, Clinical Prevention, and Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice  

NUR 5450

Informatics and Health Care Technologies

Nurse Practitioner Track - 26

Course NumberTitle

NUR 6530

Transition to Advanced Nursing Practice Role: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

NUR 6600

Advanced Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan

NUR 6610

Advanced Mental Health Assessment and Diagnostics Across the Lifespan

NUR 6670

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan I: Individual & Family Psychotherapy

NUR 6680

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan II: Individual & Group Psychotherapy

NUR 6690

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan III: Role Synthesis 

Total Credits - 44 hours
Clinical Practice Hour Requirement: At least 540 population-focused hours. 

Program Costs

2024-2025:

Base Required FeesCost
Tuition per Credit Hour$650
Program Fee per Semester$550
Technology fee per semester$25 to $100

One-Time Fees:

Base Required FeesCost
Deposit (Applied to Tuition)$250
CastleBranch All-Inclusive Package$224

A program fee will be charged per semester for all students enrolled in the MSN and PMC tracks. This fee will cover the costs associated with experiential learning, clinical placement, and additional resources to promote attainment of competencies. Fees will be periodically adjusted to align with the costs of supporting competency attainment. Students in all tracks are responsible for any additional FSC fees or program-specific costs, including but not limited to CastleBranch and Typhon, as applicable.

Related Materials

FSC Graduate Nursing Programs thumbnail
FSC Graduate and Doctoral Programs thumbnail
MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner thumbnail

I have a Bachelor degree in another field besides nursing. Am I eligible to apply for the MSN program at Florida Southern?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is one of the requirements for admission to our MSN program. Students who are interested in nursing as a new career may wish to consider an accelerated “second bachelor’s degree” BSN program. Alternatively, they could complete an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (ASN) and then go on to enroll in an RN-BSN program. This would give them the foundation needed to prepare for an MSN program.

Do you require the GRE for admission?

No, we do not require the GRE for consideration for admission to our nursing programs.

For which types of careers will this program prepare me?

Our nurse practitioner programs prepare students for careers in primary care. Our Nursing Administrative Leadership and Nurse Educator programs prepare students for a variety of positions in both primary and acute care healthcare settings.

May I choose my own preceptors? Is there assistance?

All students are assigned to clinical sites/preceptors by the Clinical Placement Coordinator, eliminating the need for students to find their own preceptors, unless they prefer to do so. This streamlines the clinical placement process and ensures high-quality learning experiences.

I previously started an MSN program at a different school. Can I transfer my courses?

Florida Southern allows you to transfer up to two (2) graduate-level courses. If you have taken more than two courses elsewhere, our MSN program director will determine which courses would be best to transfer to Florida Southern and which would be most beneficial to repeat at FSC.

Online

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult & Grad Admissions

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult and Graduate

Oct 9 5:30 PM

Join us online to learn more about our MSN tracks as well as Post-Master's certificate opportunities.  Hear from your program director and admission counselor to get your questions answered and get ready for your next steps in advancing your education and career!

Location: Online

Online

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult & Grad Admissions

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult and Graduate

Nov 4 5:30 PM

Join us online to learn more about our MSN tracks as well as Post-Master's certificate opportunities.  Hear from your program director and admission counselor to get your questions answered and get ready for your next steps in advancing your education and career!

Location: Online

Online

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult & Grad Admissions

MSN and Post-Master's Nursing Virtual Information Session

Adult and Graduate

Dec 12 12:00 PM

Join us online to learn more about our MSN tracks as well as Post-Master's certificate opportunities.  Hear from your program director and admission counselor to get your questions answered and get ready for your next steps in advancing your education and career!

Location: Online

Program Contact

Jeanne  B. Jenkins Jeanne B. Jenkins, Ph.D., MSN, MBA, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing and MSN Program Director

Blanton Nursing - 123

 863.616.6479

Abbey Bonet Abbey Bonet, MSHE

Assistant Director of Adult and Graduate Admission

 863.680.3090

 863.656.0755