The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University is launching a new online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration that will be offered as a post-master’s certificate (PMC) beginning in the fall. The application deadline for the PMC is July 1. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing.
“The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration was created in response to a need from our clinical partners and the community,” said Karethy Edwards, Ph.D., associate dean for academic programs. “In Florida, the need for mental health providers who can provide both pharmacological and non-pharmacological care is growing.”
The PMHNP concentrations are designed to assist in alleviating the critical shortage of mental health providers. In Florida, there is a need for more psychiatrists; however, current estimates by the Bureau of Health Professions note the supply of psychiatrists cannot meet the growing mental health needs of the state. The PMHNP concentration will increase access to mental health services and enhanced psychiatric mental health nursing care to children and adults, economically disadvantage populations, veterans and active duty U.S. military and their families.
The PMHNP also will be offered as a track in the BSN to DNP program beginning in summer 2018. The application deadline for the BSN to DNP program is Feb. 28, 2018 for summer applicants. For more information on the PMHNP concentration, visit http://nursing.fau.edu/admissions/master-of-science-nursing-program/psychiatric-mental-health/.