UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in 2021, 1-in-5 adults experienced a mental illness in the United States. Pairing this stark reality with the shortage of nurses and health care providers, the need for well-educated, highly trained mental health clinicians has never been greater. As a result, Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing has launched a Psychiatric-Mental Health option as part of the doctoral nurse practitioner program.
“Nurse practitioners (NPs) are well-positioned to fulfill a myriad of needs across the healthcare landscape, not least of which are mental health oriented,” said Laurie Badzek, dean of the Nese College of Nursing. “NPs who are prepared at the doctoral level with a mental health focus can provide the necessary care to bolster patient outcomes and meet the ever-growing mental health needs in communities across the state and nation.”
The psych-mental health curriculum has been designed to teach a range of fundamentals necessary to deliver high-quality care. Students will develop skills for cognitive and behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and an understanding of the neuroscience and psychobiology of mental health, both of which are foundational for brain health and wellness. Further, students will learn about treatment options, ranging from psychotherapy to pharmacological options.
As with all DNP programs, this option will culminate with a project and clinical experience. Prospective students must have a valid Pennsylvania nursing license and their clinical experience must also be in Pennsylvania.
Developed by expert faculty within the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, this program option meets the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) DNP Essentials guide and aligns with the official position of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). The college is fully accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with the curriculum being approved by the State Board of Nursing for Pennsylvania.
Delivered online through Penn State World Campus, the program enables students to take courses online in either full- or part-time status. Students can enroll with a BSN (bachelor of nursing science) or MSN (master of nursing science), and clinical experience is not a requirement; rather, it is incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate a seamless transition for current BSN undergraduates. With rolling admissions, students can apply anytime, but doing so early ensures priority status.
Visit the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing website to learn more about the psych-mental health nurse practitioner option.