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Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

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Postgraduate Certificate Program

The Postgraduate Certificate program enlarges the focus of nursing, using as its foundation the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Students admitted to the Postgraduate certificate program are not matriculated for a graduate degree. A certificate is received upon completion of the coursework and graduates are eligible to sit for national certification/credentialing exams. The Postgraduate certificate program is primarily provided via the internet. It is designed to allow practicing RNs to pursue further graduate work within their home community. Students complete the requirements for certification through a combination of online courses and preceptor guided practicums in the student s community. All students are required to attend a focus session at the Independence campus.

Postgraduate Certificate Admission Requirements

Master’s of nursing degree (MN, MSN) from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. For students with foreign transcripts, a CGFNS evaluation is required with GPA equivalency and TOEFL score. 2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the nursing master’s degree program.

Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Program

The PMHNP concentration focuses on preparing nurses to perform in the expanded APN role working across the lifespan with pediatric to geriatric patients providing mental health care and substance abuse treatment in all types of healthcare settings. The curriculum builds on the core master’s courses with the addition of essential PMHNP courses. All didactic and clinical courses are planned following the guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) to meet the requirements for national certification.

Postgraduate Certificate Completion Requirements

To qualify for a postgraduate certificate, each candidate must have:

  1. Completed sufficient credit to meet the total required graduate semester hours within 6 years of enrollment for the Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentrations or 4 years of enrollment for the Nurse Educator concentration.  Students may petition one time for a 1 year extension.
  2. Completed at Graceland University:
    • 37 total graduate semester hours with a minimum of 13 at Graceland for Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentrations;
    • 28 total graduate semester hours with a minimum of 28 at Graceland for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration – already have a MSN/FNP degree;
    • 45 total graduate semester hours with a minimum of 25 at Graceland for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration – already have a MSN/AGACNP or other master’s degree;
    • 12 total graduate semester hours with a minimum of 8 at Graceland for the Nurse Educator concentration.
  3. Earned a final course grade of B or better in every course.
  4. Fulfilled all financial obligations to Graceland University.
  5. Filed online Application for Certificate with the Office of the Registrar at least 6 months prior to the anticipated certificate completion date.

 

  • Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (28 s.h.) (Already FNP)

    Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (45 s.h.) (Already AGACNP or Master’s Prepared)

    If a student is coming from an institution that is not CCNE or ACEN accredited, and are admitted to the program, additional course NURS6940 Applied Theory and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice will be required.

    Courses Offered
    • NURS5010Introduction to MSN and Post-graduate Certificate Programs
      NURS5010 Introduction to MSN and Post-graduate Certificate Programs

      Focuses on preparing the MSN and post-graduate certificate student to be successful in an online graduate program of study. Includes mandatory completion of selected tutorials, review of academic policies, pre-clinical HIPAA and Standard Precaution requirements, and participation in pre-scheduled Live Chat sessions. Information related to university resources and services available to support successful progression and completion of the selected program of study is provided. Successful completion within the first term of enrollment is required for progression in the selected program of study. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)

    • NURS5100Pharmacotherapeutics
      NURS5100 Pharmacotherapeutics - 4 s.h.

      Provides the graduate advanced practice nursing student foundational knowledge and application of pharmacotherapeutics to meet the health care needs of clients, from childhood through the older years. Content focuses on the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and provides an overview of selected therapeutic drug classes and complementary/alternative treatments, which allows students to evaluate client situations and determine therapy within the context of the overall treatment plan. Prerequisite: NURS5440.

    • NURS5143Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
      NURS5143 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning - 4 s.h.

      Builds on health assessment skills developed during the professional nurses basic educational program. The course teaches students how to obtain a comprehensive assessment and use this information to develop and/or evaluate evidence based treatment plans for diverse patients with common acute and chronic health problems. Emphasis is placed on the process of clinical/diagnostic reasoning to enable the student to identify problems and make accurate diagnoses. The use of technology and electronic medical records are important components of this course.

    • NURS5196Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Competencies Lab
      NURS5196 Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Competencies Lab - 1 s.h.

      Understanding medical and mental health conditions impacting the patient across the lifespan with student performance of regular physical and mental health assessment. This course occurs prior to the start of the Practicum I course and includes a mandatory face to face focus session on the Independence, Missouri campus.

    • NURS5430Behavioral Therapy Concepts
      NURS5430 Behavioral Therapy Concepts - 3 s.h.

      This course is designed to introduce theories and techniques used in counseling and psychotherapy for patients across the lifespan. It also examines the guiding principles and ethics of counseling and psychotherapy. Techniques of counseling are introduced and explored based on a wide range of theories, environments, and varying multi-cultural populations. Students will demonstrate skills learned in the didactic portion of the course while in a clinical setting in their own community, completing 150 hours of practicum experiences. Following completion of the course, students will have foundational understanding and clinical experiences of commonly utilized theories and psychotherapeutic techniques.

    • NURS5440Advanced Pathophysiology
      NURS5440 Advanced Pathophysiology - 4 s.h.

      Provides the graduate nursing student with a well-grounded understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease to serve as a foundation for clinical assessment, decision making, and management. Content focuses on etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of selected altered health states across the lifespan.

    • NURS5662PMHNP Foundations: Roles, Issues and Ethical/Legal Principles
      NURS5662 PMHNP Foundations: Roles, Issues and Ethical/Legal Principles - 3 s.h.

      Knowledge and understanding of the role of the PMHNP in various practice settings. Collaboration, leadership, cultural, and spiritual competence in specific mental health population groups will be addressed. The clients’ bill of rights, informed consent, treatment options, client confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance will be covered. The role of the PMHNP including therapeutic alliance, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and assessment will be addressed. Common psychiatric illnesses will be identified and treatment explored.

    • NURS5663Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapeutic
      NURS5663 Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapeutic - 3 s.h.

      Advance pharmacology concepts focusing on mental health illnesses and clinical management of various psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Competence in identification of psychiatric medication contraindications, interactions, adverse effects, side effects, heritability conditions, and gene to drug interactions will be emphasized.

    • NURS5664PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management I (Adult & Geriatrics)
      NURS5664 PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management I (Adult & Geriatrics) - 3 s.h.

      Knowledge learned from previous courses provide the foundation of knowledge to focus on differential diagnosis and interventions for complex care of adult and geriatric patients with mental health symptoms and/or conditions. Complementary and alternative treatments will be explored. Clinical interviewing skills, health promotion, and disease prevention, mental health screening tools, psychiatric emergencies, and suicidal/homicidal ideations with risk assessment will be covered with information on how to screen, recognize, treat, and referral for various mental health conditions will be covered. Pre-Requisites: NURS5662, NURS5663

    • NURS5665PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management II (Pediatrics)
      NURS5665 PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management II (Pediatrics) - 3 s.h.

      Knowledge and understanding of differential diagnoses along with treatment options to meet the needs of the pediatric patient and family. Interventions, screening, health promotion, prevention, psychiatric emergencies, and behavioral conditions for complex care of children and adolescents up to 18 years of age with a focus on mental health psychiatric symptoms and mental health conditions are covered. Evidence-based treatment on the appropriate screening tools, medications, and recommended family and developmental theories that can be used in practice. Pre-Requisites: NURS5662, NURS5663

    • NURS6841PMHNP Practicum: I (180 practice hours)
      NURS6841 PMHNP Practicum: I (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

      Focus on PMHNP in clinical practice learning to collaborate with the mental health preceptor and course instructor. Education on clinical interviewing and assessment, utilizing therapeutic mental health models and theories in practice, incorporation of mental health screening tools to assist in identification of mental health disorders. Utilizing recovery and resilience promotion, psychoeducation and therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, analyzing laboratory tests with appropriate interpretation using evidence-based practice for diagnosis and medication management of mental health conditions and medical conditions occurring simultaneously. Pre-requisite: NURS5664

    • NURS6842PMHNP Practicum: II (180 practice hours)
      NURS6842 PMHNP Practicum: II (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

      Assessment and clinical interviewing of patients and family, developing differential diagnosis selection, and final diagnosis selection based on evidence-based treatment guidelines and presenting conditions. Medication treatment with knowledge of side effects, adverse effects, screening tools, and evaluation of emergency situations. Interpretation of diagnostic lab tests and students will provide education on treatment recommendations based on results identified to the patient as indicated with preceptor supervision. Pre-requisite: NURS5665

    • NURS6843PMHNP Practicum: FINAL (180 practice hours)
      NURS6843 PMHNP Practicum: FINAL (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

      Building upon previous practicum experiences, the PMHNP student will continue clinical assessment and clinical interviewing of patients utilizing theories and therapy options learned while developing independence in making the best clinical decisions for the patient. Age appropriate clinical assessments, treatment recommendations, and conduction of appropriate therapy based treatments promoting education and efforts to reduce negative stigma related to mental health conditions with the goal to promote improved quality of life and daily functioning for the patient and family. Pre-requisites: NURS6841, NURS6842

    • NURS6940Applied Theory and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice
      NURS6940 Applied Theory and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice - 4 s.h.

      This course focuses on applying theory and research evidence for advanced nursing practice. The relationships among theory, research, and practice will be discussed. Principles and applications of quantitative and qualitative research designs will be explored. Students will analyze, compare, and evaluate selected nursing theories for their use in clinical practice. Ethical and legal issues in conducting research will be examined. Students will learn a research process by engaging in formulating a clinical question, database search, critically appraising existing evidence, and developing a plan for practice change.

    NURS5010Introduction to MSN and Post-graduate Certificate Programs NURS5100Pharmacotherapeutics NURS5143Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning NURS5196Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Competencies Lab NURS5430Behavioral Therapy Concepts NURS5440Advanced Pathophysiology NURS5662PMHNP Foundations: Roles, Issues and Ethical/Legal Principles NURS5663Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapeutic NURS5664PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management I (Adult & Geriatrics) NURS5665PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management II (Pediatrics) NURS6841PMHNP Practicum: I (180 practice hours) NURS6842PMHNP Practicum: II (180 practice hours) NURS6843PMHNP Practicum: FINAL (180 practice hours) NURS6940Applied Theory and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice
    Course Descriptions
    NURS5010 Introduction to MSN and Post-graduate Certificate Programs

    Focuses on preparing the MSN and post-graduate certificate student to be successful in an online graduate program of study. Includes mandatory completion of selected tutorials, review of academic policies, pre-clinical HIPAA and Standard Precaution requirements, and participation in pre-scheduled Live Chat sessions. Information related to university resources and services available to support successful progression and completion of the selected program of study is provided. Successful completion within the first term of enrollment is required for progression in the selected program of study. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)

    NURS5100 Pharmacotherapeutics - 4 s.h.

    Provides the graduate advanced practice nursing student foundational knowledge and application of pharmacotherapeutics to meet the health care needs of clients, from childhood through the older years. Content focuses on the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and provides an overview of selected therapeutic drug classes and complementary/alternative treatments, which allows students to evaluate client situations and determine therapy within the context of the overall treatment plan. Prerequisite: NURS5440.

    NURS5143 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning - 4 s.h.

    Builds on health assessment skills developed during the professional nurses basic educational program. The course teaches students how to obtain a comprehensive assessment and use this information to develop and/or evaluate evidence based treatment plans for diverse patients with common acute and chronic health problems. Emphasis is placed on the process of clinical/diagnostic reasoning to enable the student to identify problems and make accurate diagnoses. The use of technology and electronic medical records are important components of this course.

    NURS5196 Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Competencies Lab - 1 s.h.

    Understanding medical and mental health conditions impacting the patient across the lifespan with student performance of regular physical and mental health assessment. This course occurs prior to the start of the Practicum I course and includes a mandatory face to face focus session on the Independence, Missouri campus.

    NURS5430 Behavioral Therapy Concepts - 3 s.h.

    This course is designed to introduce theories and techniques used in counseling and psychotherapy for patients across the lifespan. It also examines the guiding principles and ethics of counseling and psychotherapy. Techniques of counseling are introduced and explored based on a wide range of theories, environments, and varying multi-cultural populations. Students will demonstrate skills learned in the didactic portion of the course while in a clinical setting in their own community, completing 150 hours of practicum experiences. Following completion of the course, students will have foundational understanding and clinical experiences of commonly utilized theories and psychotherapeutic techniques.

    NURS5440 Advanced Pathophysiology - 4 s.h.

    Provides the graduate nursing student with a well-grounded understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease to serve as a foundation for clinical assessment, decision making, and management. Content focuses on etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of selected altered health states across the lifespan.

    NURS5662 PMHNP Foundations: Roles, Issues and Ethical/Legal Principles - 3 s.h.

    Knowledge and understanding of the role of the PMHNP in various practice settings. Collaboration, leadership, cultural, and spiritual competence in specific mental health population groups will be addressed. The clients’ bill of rights, informed consent, treatment options, client confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance will be covered. The role of the PMHNP including therapeutic alliance, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and assessment will be addressed. Common psychiatric illnesses will be identified and treatment explored.

    NURS5663 Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapeutic - 3 s.h.

    Advance pharmacology concepts focusing on mental health illnesses and clinical management of various psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Competence in identification of psychiatric medication contraindications, interactions, adverse effects, side effects, heritability conditions, and gene to drug interactions will be emphasized.

    NURS5664 PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management I (Adult & Geriatrics) - 3 s.h.

    Knowledge learned from previous courses provide the foundation of knowledge to focus on differential diagnosis and interventions for complex care of adult and geriatric patients with mental health symptoms and/or conditions. Complementary and alternative treatments will be explored. Clinical interviewing skills, health promotion, and disease prevention, mental health screening tools, psychiatric emergencies, and suicidal/homicidal ideations with risk assessment will be covered with information on how to screen, recognize, treat, and referral for various mental health conditions will be covered. Pre-Requisites: NURS5662, NURS5663

    NURS5665 PMHNP: Diagnosis and Management II (Pediatrics) - 3 s.h.

    Knowledge and understanding of differential diagnoses along with treatment options to meet the needs of the pediatric patient and family. Interventions, screening, health promotion, prevention, psychiatric emergencies, and behavioral conditions for complex care of children and adolescents up to 18 years of age with a focus on mental health psychiatric symptoms and mental health conditions are covered. Evidence-based treatment on the appropriate screening tools, medications, and recommended family and developmental theories that can be used in practice. Pre-Requisites: NURS5662, NURS5663

    NURS6841 PMHNP Practicum: I (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

    Focus on PMHNP in clinical practice learning to collaborate with the mental health preceptor and course instructor. Education on clinical interviewing and assessment, utilizing therapeutic mental health models and theories in practice, incorporation of mental health screening tools to assist in identification of mental health disorders. Utilizing recovery and resilience promotion, psychoeducation and therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, analyzing laboratory tests with appropriate interpretation using evidence-based practice for diagnosis and medication management of mental health conditions and medical conditions occurring simultaneously. Pre-requisite: NURS5664

    NURS6842 PMHNP Practicum: II (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

    Assessment and clinical interviewing of patients and family, developing differential diagnosis selection, and final diagnosis selection based on evidence-based treatment guidelines and presenting conditions. Medication treatment with knowledge of side effects, adverse effects, screening tools, and evaluation of emergency situations. Interpretation of diagnostic lab tests and students will provide education on treatment recommendations based on results identified to the patient as indicated with preceptor supervision. Pre-requisite: NURS5665

    NURS6843 PMHNP Practicum: FINAL (180 practice hours) - 4 s.h.

    Building upon previous practicum experiences, the PMHNP student will continue clinical assessment and clinical interviewing of patients utilizing theories and therapy options learned while developing independence in making the best clinical decisions for the patient. Age appropriate clinical assessments, treatment recommendations, and conduction of appropriate therapy based treatments promoting education and efforts to reduce negative stigma related to mental health conditions with the goal to promote improved quality of life and daily functioning for the patient and family. Pre-requisites: NURS6841, NURS6842

    NURS6940 Applied Theory and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice - 4 s.h.

    This course focuses on applying theory and research evidence for advanced nursing practice. The relationships among theory, research, and practice will be discussed. Principles and applications of quantitative and qualitative research designs will be explored. Students will analyze, compare, and evaluate selected nursing theories for their use in clinical practice. Ethical and legal issues in conducting research will be examined. Students will learn a research process by engaging in formulating a clinical question, database search, critically appraising existing evidence, and developing a plan for practice change.

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