Program Overview

This certificate fills a significant and severe community need, preparing advance practice psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) to provide advanced mental health treatment to individuals with mental health disorders. Advanced care includes capacity to use individual and family counseling, as well as prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. These advanced mental health treatments are built on a foundation of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment.

Admission Criteria

• Minimum 3.0 GPA at the graduate level.
• Graduate of accredited Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) MSN or DNP program with a specialty focus of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
• Licensed as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Michigan.
• Completed online application, with an educational and professional goal statement and writing sample.

• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Interview with KCON faculty.
• Successful completion of background check and drug screen, as well as compliance with health records, immunizations, and other KCON graduate program requirements.

Why Study Nursing at Grand Valley?

• PMHNPs are uniquely prepared to fill the workforce gaps in the mental health system and are in high demand.
• The hybrid format is ideal for working adults through online coursework and convenient in-seat classes at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) in downtown Grand Rapids.
• The certificate can be completed in four semesters.