Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP), 2-Year

As a student in D’Youville’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) program, you’ll learn from working mental health professionals and educators who have real-world experience diagnosing and treating mental health disorders across the lifespan. You’ll be educated on the application of theory into practice as the D’Youville faculty shares their extensive knowledge of advanced practice with you and prepares you for a robust variety of career opportunities across the mental health field.

Our program is designed to foster a deeper understanding of mental health illness and issues using contextual perspectives, environmental issues and personality structures in the holistic treatment of patients. You’ll learn to apply theory to individuals, families and groups to promote wellness to those experiencing dysfunction.

• The D’Youville faculty are experienced mental health experts and recognized for their student-centered approach that emphasizes individualized instruction and career guidance.
• Students benefit from an individualized plan of study that is created for them after a detailed evaluation of their transcripts and documented clinical hours.
• You can begin your study in either the fall or the spring semester.
• Our flexible program is designed for both working professionals who want to pursue their degree part-time and students who are able to dedicate themselves to full-time study.
• D’Youville’s nursing program reflects the our mission to educate professionals who contribute to the world community through leadership and service to others.

As access to health care increases, the population ages, and the role is more widely recognized by the public as a source for primary health care, the demand for individuals with Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees with a focus on mental health will continue to increase across the spectrum of health care services.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practitioner), you’ll have the experience and credentials to not only meet the growing demand from hospitals, private practices and research facilities, but to assume leadership roles in the treatment and education of mental health issues.

A PMHNP focus provides DNPs with the specialized knowledge and understanding of mental health issues needed to provide holistic care to individuals, families and groups across all ages and from all backgrounds.

A DNP degree can greatly expand your career options, allowing you to assume an advanced role as a health care professional. Typically, nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can seek expanded career opportunities in:

Hospitals

Nurses with DNP degrees often find themselves assuming a larger role in developing patient treatment plans, conducting research and using their knowledge to develop new policies and procedures for mental health care administration.

Research

The advanced knowledge you’ll gain while earning your DNP with a PMHNP focus can help you successfully obtain new roles in research facilities analyzing the effects of therapy on client outcomes, exploring the stigma associated with mental illness and developing treatment for individuals in need of mental health care.

Private Practice

Many nurses with doctorates are transitioning into private psychotherapy practice as they become the holistic care provider for individuals, families and groups in need of mental health care.

Physicians’ Offices

As physicians discover the benefits of partnering with advanced practice nurses with doctorates, they are expanding their practices to bridge the gap between their own offerings and growing health care demands.

Public Health

As a valued source of expertise for all facets of the mental health care spectrum, DNPs with a PMHNP focus are increasingly relied upon by policymakers and public health professionals to address public health treatment and the socioeconomic issues associated with mental health care.