DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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You have recognized the chronic lack of access to mental health treatment in your patients and you have seen this need highlighted in local, state, and national news. This is a major health care crisis and you are ready to be part of the solution. The DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to fill this gap, enabling you to provide physical and mental health care for your patients in need.
Several issues affect the need for better mental health treatment access including limited trained health care professionals, the need for policy changes, lack of patient financing, and cultural stigmas that keep patients silent. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a specialization in Psychiatric and Mental Health prepares advanced practice nurses to respond to this need while also addressing the other systemic issues that impact their patients.
Advanced practice psychiatric nurses (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners [PMHNPs]), are prepared to provide advanced mental health treatment across the lifespan to individuals with mental health disorders and are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Advanced care includes the capacity to use at least two treatment modalities (individual, group, family, or couples counseling) and prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. These advanced mental health treatments are built on a foundation of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment.
The DNP degree enables nurse practitioners to directly address care gaps within the mental health system by utilizing evidence-based practice and system interventions.
Join the Fall 2022 Cohort
Applications are now open for the new DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
Submit your materials by May 1, 2022, to jumpstart your career this Fall 2022 semester.
Do you have questions about the program or the application process? Contact Kristin Norton, Office of Student Services Director, at nortonkr@gvsu.edu.
Meet the Faculty
Our faculty are leaders in their fields and bring an interprofessional perspective to our DNP courses. In addition to our exceptional Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty and faculty from the School of Public Health, these nursing faculty members teach our psychiatric mental health-focused courses.
Dr. Karyn Butler
Adjunct Faculty
Donna Rinker
Affiliate Faculty

Dr. Richard Myers
Adjunct Faculty

Kristine Niemeyer
Adjunct Faculty

Corrine Overmyer
Adjunct Faculty
Graduate Student Course Progression Plan
Fall 1st Year (9 credits)
-
STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professions (3 credits)
- Project-oriented overview of major statistical techniques
commonly used in problems encountered in health professions.
Students will learn to use a major statistical computing
package. Hypothesis testing, t-tests, regression, analysis of
variance, analysis of covariance, categorical data analysis, and
nonparametric statistics.
- Project-oriented overview of major statistical techniques
commonly used in problems encountered in health professions.
Students will learn to use a major statistical computing
package. Hypothesis testing, t-tests, regression, analysis of
variance, analysis of covariance, categorical data analysis, and
nonparametric statistics.
-
NUR 690 - Introduction Scientific Inquiry (3 credits)
- An in-depth examination of the research process in health
care. Includes the use of quantitative and qualitative
methodology to explore researchable problems. Students use a
systematic approach to develop a clinical research or project
proposal and acquire competencies to evaluate the scientific and
clinical merit of published research reports.
- An in-depth examination of the research process in health
care. Includes the use of quantitative and qualitative
methodology to explore researchable problems. Students use a
systematic approach to develop a clinical research or project
proposal and acquire competencies to evaluate the scientific and
clinical merit of published research reports.
-
NUR 607 - Health Care System, Policy, and Politics (3 credits)
- This course focuses on policy decisions related to the organization, financing, and delivery of health care in the global community. It provides a basis for understanding political and social forces that shape nursing practice and health care delivery. Ethical dimensions of public policy formulations and implementation will be highlighted.
Winter 1st Year (10 credits)
-
NUR 608 - Leadership Roles in Complex Systems (3 credits)
- In this course, students analyze and evaluate theories and
research that influence leadership in complex systems.
Leadership is explored in complex system domains. Core
competencies and strategies for leadership effectiveness are
examined and evaluated.
- In this course, students analyze and evaluate theories and
research that influence leadership in complex systems.
Leadership is explored in complex system domains. Core
competencies and strategies for leadership effectiveness are
examined and evaluated.
-
NUR 621 - Clinical Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- This course utilizes the scientific underpinnings of the
biologic basis of disease to understand the pathophysiology,
clinical assessment and treatment of clinical conditions across
the lifespan. Content includes: cellular injury, inflammation,
immunity, genetics, and various disease states in oncology,
endocrinology, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurology,
gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, and gynecology.
- This course utilizes the scientific underpinnings of the
biologic basis of disease to understand the pathophysiology,
clinical assessment and treatment of clinical conditions across
the lifespan. Content includes: cellular injury, inflammation,
immunity, genetics, and various disease states in oncology,
endocrinology, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurology,
gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, and gynecology.
-
NUR 691 - Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (3 credits)
- This course focuses on the review, analysis, synthesis, and application of scientific evidence for nursing and health care. Emphasis is placed on integrative and systematic reviews as tools to achieve evidence-based practice. Consideration is given to the ethical, legal, cultural, and financial implications of evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
Spring/Summer 1st Year (10 credits)
-
NUR 605 - Theoretical Perspectives in Nursing (3 credits)
- This course focuses on applying theory in nursing practice.
Emphasis will be on the structure, types, and levels of theory,
along with the use of theory in clinical situations,
organizational change, implementation projects, and
research.
- This course focuses on applying theory in nursing practice.
Emphasis will be on the structure, types, and levels of theory,
along with the use of theory in clinical situations,
organizational change, implementation projects, and
research.
-
NUR 620 - Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
- Explores pharmacological categories of drugs used by
practitioners with a variety of patient groups. Selected drugs
within categories are presented and compared on parameters such
as indications, therapeutic and/or adverse effects, monitoring,
doses, and common drug interactions. (3-0-0-0) Numbers in
parentheses indicate the number of classroom-seminar-skills
laboratory-clinical laboratory hours per week.
- Explores pharmacological categories of drugs used by
practitioners with a variety of patient groups. Selected drugs
within categories are presented and compared on parameters such
as indications, therapeutic and/or adverse effects, monitoring,
doses, and common drug interactions. (3-0-0-0) Numbers in
parentheses indicate the number of classroom-seminar-skills
laboratory-clinical laboratory hours per week.
-
NUR 625 - Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations (4 credits)
- This course incorporates epidemiologic methods in addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations. Course content will explore issues in health access and disparity in U.S. populations and examine current trends, societal consequences, contributory cause(s), and potential advance practice nurse roles.
Fall 2nd Year (10 credits)
-
NUR 704 - Quality Management in Healthcare (3 credits)
- This course provides knowledge and expertise in the
application of key concepts from quality improvement (QI),
implementation science (IS) and project management as a
foundation for the development of the D.N.P. Scholarly Project.
A project plan will be designed integrating key course areas of
emphasis, including outcomes for project evaluation.
- This course provides knowledge and expertise in the
application of key concepts from quality improvement (QI),
implementation science (IS) and project management as a
foundation for the development of the D.N.P. Scholarly Project.
A project plan will be designed integrating key course areas of
emphasis, including outcomes for project evaluation.
-
NUR 628 - Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- Therapeutic use of psychotropic medications including
biological mechanisms of action, safety issues, advanced
treatments, as well as common side effects and adverse
reactions, will be explored. The neurobiological components
important in understanding symptom etiology and effective
treatments of commonly occurring mental health conditions across
the lifespan are incorporated.
- Therapeutic use of psychotropic medications including
biological mechanisms of action, safety issues, advanced
treatments, as well as common side effects and adverse
reactions, will be explored. The neurobiological components
important in understanding symptom etiology and effective
treatments of commonly occurring mental health conditions across
the lifespan are incorporated.
-
NUR 610 - Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (4 credits)
- Students will demonstrate advanced assessment skills to detect and differentiate abnormal findings and to generate potential diagnoses. Through case study analysis and use of simulation with standard patients, students will use selected theoretical frameworks to guide clinical decision-making for patient encounters.
Winter 2nd Year (11 credits)
-
NUR 676 - Theoretical Perspectives – Mental Health (3 credits)
- Theoretical concepts related to the health of individuals and
families. The focus is on the application of theories to the
clinical practice of mental health. Students will examine
psychosocial theories that provide explanations for individual
and family responses that affect health. (2-0-0-0) Numbers in
parentheses indicate the number of classroom-seminar-skills
laboratory-clinical laboratory hours per week.
- Theoretical concepts related to the health of individuals and
families. The focus is on the application of theories to the
clinical practice of mental health. Students will examine
psychosocial theories that provide explanations for individual
and family responses that affect health. (2-0-0-0) Numbers in
parentheses indicate the number of classroom-seminar-skills
laboratory-clinical laboratory hours per week.
-
NUR 753 - Primary Care for Mental Health Providers (4 credits)
- Prevention and treatment of health issues encountered by the
psych/mental health nurse practitioner will be discussed and
analyzed in the context of the interplay between primary care
and mental health settings. Integrated behavioral health and
primary care models and best practices from an interdisciplinary
perspective will be investigated.
- Prevention and treatment of health issues encountered by the
psych/mental health nurse practitioner will be discussed and
analyzed in the context of the interplay between primary care
and mental health settings. Integrated behavioral health and
primary care models and best practices from an interdisciplinary
perspective will be investigated.
-
NUR 631 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Exploration of concepts and advanced nursing strategies
related to human development across the lifespan. Provides the
theoretical basis for advanced nursing practice. Offered winter
semester.
- Exploration of concepts and advanced nursing strategies
related to human development across the lifespan. Provides the
theoretical basis for advanced nursing practice. Offered winter
semester.
-
NUR 792 - Scholarly Inquiry I (1 credit)
- This course offers an immersive, scholarly experience linking practice and scholarship for the D.N.P. student. Identification of a project is required for the translation of evidence into practice. This course is taken for three consecutive semesters and prepares students to complete the scholarly project in NUR 793.
Spring/Summer 2nd Year (8 credits)
-
NUR 703 - Health Care Informatics (3 credits)
- This course provides an in-depth introduction to information
systems and technologies that support systems of practice in
health care. Relevant theories, as well as informatics issues
and standards including ethical and privacy concerns will be
addressed. Tools and strategies for building and managing
information system components will also be incorporated. Offered
fall semester.
- This course provides an in-depth introduction to information
systems and technologies that support systems of practice in
health care. Relevant theories, as well as informatics issues
and standards including ethical and privacy concerns will be
addressed. Tools and strategies for building and managing
information system components will also be incorporated. Offered
fall semester.
-
NUR 677 - Mental Health Practicum: Diagnosis and Treatment
of Individuals (3 credits)
- Prepares the advanced psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner student to care for individuals with mental health
disorders. Explores the differential diagnoses and etiologies of
mental illnesses across the lifespan. Examines selected theories
of psychopathology and scientific findings. Integrates analysis
and application of selected clinical modalities within a
clinical practicum.
- Prepares the advanced psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner student to care for individuals with mental health
disorders. Explores the differential diagnoses and etiologies of
mental illnesses across the lifespan. Examines selected theories
of psychopathology and scientific findings. Integrates analysis
and application of selected clinical modalities within a
clinical practicum.
-
NUR 710 - DNP Clinical Immersion I: Nurse Practitioner (1 credit)
- Provides an opportunity for the enactment of the advanced
practice role in the implementation of evidence-based strategies
in the delivery of health care to the population of interest.
Integration of clinical knowledge and skills as the student
progresses through the curriculum.
- Provides an opportunity for the enactment of the advanced
practice role in the implementation of evidence-based strategies
in the delivery of health care to the population of interest.
Integration of clinical knowledge and skills as the student
progresses through the curriculum.
-
NUR 792 - Scholarly Inquiry I (1 credit)
- This course offers an immersive, scholarly experience linking practice and scholarship for the D.N.P. student. Identification of a project is required for the translation of evidence into practice. This course is taken for three consecutive semesters and prepares students to complete the scholarly project in NUR 793.
Fall 3rd Year (10 credits)
-
NUR 678 - Mental Health Practicum: Group and Family Therapy (3 credits)
- Exploration and application of advanced clinical nursing
strategies in group and family treatment. The focus is on the
development, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive
advanced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role with
individuals in groups and families experiencing acute or chronic
disruptions in mental health across the lifespan.
- Exploration and application of advanced clinical nursing
strategies in group and family treatment. The focus is on the
development, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive
advanced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role with
individuals in groups and families experiencing acute or chronic
disruptions in mental health across the lifespan.
-
NUR 706 - Telehealth (3 credits)
- This course prepares the interprofessional team in
evidence-based design, telehealth technologies and etiquette to
promote quality, safety and efficiency in health care processes,
the patient-provider relationship, and population health.
- This course prepares the interprofessional team in
evidence-based design, telehealth technologies and etiquette to
promote quality, safety and efficiency in health care processes,
the patient-provider relationship, and population health.
-
NUR 711 - DNP Clinical Immersion II: Nurse Practitioner (2 credits)
-
Provides an ongoing opportunity for the
enactment of the D.N.P. advanced practice role in the
implementation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of
health care to the population of interest. Integration of
clinical knowledge and skills as the student progresses through
the curriculum.
-
Provides an ongoing opportunity for the
enactment of the D.N.P. advanced practice role in the
implementation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of
health care to the population of interest. Integration of
clinical knowledge and skills as the student progresses through
the curriculum.
-
NUR 792 - Scholarly Inquiry I (2 credits)
- This course offers an immersive, scholarly experience linking practice and scholarship for the D.N.P. student. Identification of a project is required for the translation of evidence into practice. This course is taken for three consecutive semesters and prepares students to complete the scholarly project in NUR 793.
Winter 3rd Year (7 credits)
-
NUR 679 - Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Practicum (4 credits)
- Students gain independence in managing selected acute and
chronic disruptions in mental health using advance mental health
treatment strategies (individual, group, and family). The focus
is on the continued development, implementation, and evaluation
of the comprehensive advanced psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner role in treating mental health disruptions across
the lifespan.
- Students gain independence in managing selected acute and
chronic disruptions in mental health using advance mental health
treatment strategies (individual, group, and family). The focus
is on the continued development, implementation, and evaluation
of the comprehensive advanced psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner role in treating mental health disruptions across
the lifespan.
-
NUR 712 - DNP Clinical Immersion III: Nurse Practitioner (1 credit)
- Provides a continued opportunity for the enactment of the
advanced practice role in the implementation of evidence-based
strategies through the delivery of health care to the population
of interest. Clinical knowledge and skills are integrated at the
proficient level at this point in the curriculum.
- Provides a continued opportunity for the enactment of the
advanced practice role in the implementation of evidence-based
strategies through the delivery of health care to the population
of interest. Clinical knowledge and skills are integrated at the
proficient level at this point in the curriculum.
-
NUR 793 - Scholarly Inquiry II (2 credits)
- This course offers a culminating project-based immersion experience linking practice and scholarship for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) student. Implementation and completion of the developed D.N.P. project is required to exemplify the proficient application of the D.N.P. essentials.
Clinical Nurse Practitioner hours:
- NUR 677 (150 hours)
- NUR 678 (150 hours)
- NUR 679 (225 hours)
- NUR 753 (75 hours)
Total clinical hours: 600
DNP Immersion hours:
- NUR 792 (180 hours)
- NUR 710 (45 hours)
- NUR 793 (90 hours)
- NUR 711 (90 hours)
- NUR 712 (45 hours)
Total immersion hours: 450
Let’s talk about your academic goals today!
Contact the Office of Student Services to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor:
kcon@gvsu.edu
(616) 331-7160