Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Specialty
The aim of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH) specialty curriculum is to prepare psychiatric nurse practitioner Clinical nurse specialists to provide a wide range of services to adults, children, adolescents and their families. It includes the study and application of theories of practice. Students are taught to examine and formulate behavior using a model of multiple explanations: cultural/ethnic, intrapsychic, developmental, neurobiologic, familial, and social. Extensive supervised clinical study focuses on various types of assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the changing health care environment. It focuses on developing skills that allow for flexibility in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of populations defined as high-risk consumers of psychiatric care. Students may specialize in one of three concentrations: Adult, Child/Adolescent, Primary Care. On completion of the required course work students are eligible for certification as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in psychiatric-mental health nursing through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center. Those taking the primary care concentration are also eligible for certification as adult primary care nurse practitioners.
In the first year of study, all students take course work and have clinical practica in human development and psychiatric phenomena in settings designed to treat multiple mental health problems. In the second year of study, students select a setting where advanced practice interventions can be utilized within the concentration of study. The settings include children and families; the medically ill client; adults with psychiatric disabilities; the gerontological client; and clients with substance abuse disorders. Course work and clinical practice focus on the development of advanced practice nursing skills with these special populations.
Primary Care Concentration
As of September 2008 YSN will not be admitting students to the Primary Care concentration.
Students who specialize in the care of adults with psychiatric disabilities may choose the Primary Care concentration that prepares them to provide comprehensive management to psychiatric clients, including physical and psychiatric care. In addition, students in this concentration are prepared to provide consultation to primary care providers. Upon completion of the concentration, students are eligible for certification in advanced psychiatric-mental health nursing (psychiatric nurse practitioner and/or clinical nurse specialist) through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and are also eligible for adult nurse practitioner certification.
**Required for Geriatric specialization.
*** For Primary Care students wanting Clinical Nurse Specialist certification.
The course plan for part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office.
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Applying to the Master's Program
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