Become an PMHNP.

Take the next step in your educational journey.

Education

DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

At The University of New Mexico College of Nursing, we educate students to provide holistic health care for rural and underserved patients. Teaching students to see all patients as having the capacity for mental health healing and recovery. Providing integrated care for those struggling. As an independent practitioner, you will grow your skills to address the health and health equity needs of the state’s most under-resourced when they need you most.

You will be able to:

Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments, diagnose, and develop treatment plans.
Manage psychotropic medications.
Provide individual, group, and family psychotherapies.
Develop an understanding of complementary alternative therapies, in the context of cultural and ethnic sensitivity.
Promote health and wellness to prevent the progression of diseases through patient education and interventions.

We coordinate our students’ clinical rotations and provide faculty liaison support to ensure student development and experiences working with diverse populations. As a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program, you know you will be educated to the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Your Education

8 consecutive terms completed in under 3 years
69 credits in total, 750 clinical hours, 100 lab hours and 300 systems thinking/project hours total
Courses are delivered in hybrid format
Some clinical rotations might be outside of Albuquerque
When you complete this program, you will earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice
Graduates will be eligible to take the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certifying examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Curriculum

Designed to ensure your ultimate goal of becoming a PMHNP. Our curriculum ensures that you will be prepared – more than prepared – you will thrive.

Designed with you in mind.

With a mix of hybrid online and in-person classes, onsite simulation and clinical experiences, the PMHNP program is designed for you. You will learn to work collaboratively with other health care professionals to treat a range of psychiatric disorders. Clinical experiences help you apply what you have learned into practice. All while gaining skills that help you be an effective nurse practitioner.

DNP Core Courses (9 credits)

NURS 700: Introduction to Professional Inquiry (3 credits)
NURS 707: Formulating Strategies for Systemic Health Inquiry (3 credits)
NURS 709: Integrating Innovative Strategies for Systemic Health Change (3 credits)

Evidence-Based Practice Core (9 credits)

NURS 701: Introduction to Translational Evidence-Informed Care (3 credits)
NURS 708: Evidence-Informed Practice and Scholarship (3 credits)
NURS 710: Translation of Evidence for Health Care Practice, Policy, and Evaluation (3 credits)

DNP Systems Thinking and Project Core (6 credits)

NURS 796: Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation I (2 credits, 100 project hours)
NURS 797: Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation II (1 credit, 50 project hours)
NURS 798: Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation III (1 credit, 50 project hours)
NURS 799: Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation IV (2 credits, 100 project hours)

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Core (9 credits)

NURS 711: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
NURS 712: Pharmacological Principles of Clinical Therapeutics (3 credits)
NURS 713: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits: 2 didactic/ 1 lab [50 lab hours])

Didactic PMHNP Courses (18 credits)

NURS 780: Foundations in PMHNP Clinical Assessment and Practice (3 credits: 2.5 didactic/ 0.5 lab [25 hours])
NURS 781: Psychiatric Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
NURS 782: Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (3 credits: 2.5 didactic/ 0.5 lab [25 hours])
NURS 783: Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology (4 credits)
NURS 784: Advanced Practice Seminar on Leadership Development for the PMHNP (1 credit)
NURS 785: Complex Management of Adults for the PMHNP (2 credits)
NURS 786: Complex Management of Special Populations for the PMHNP (2 credits)

Clinical PMHNP Courses (18 credits)

NURS 788: Advanced Practicum I (4 credits: 1 didactic/ 3 clinical [150 hours])
NURS 789: Advanced Practicum II (7 credits: 1 didactic/ 6 clinical [300 hours])
NURS 795: Advanced Nursing Fieldwork (7 credits: 1 didactic/ 6 clinical [300 clinical hours])

Upon completion of the curriculum, you with finish with 69 credits, 750 clinical hours, 100 lab/simulation hours and 300 systems thinking/project hours total.

Course descriptions can be found in the University Catalog.

Academic Calendars and Register for Classes

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You Will Be Prepared.

Provide full scope psychiatric care to individuals, groups, and families utilizing both independent and collaborative approaches across the lifespan in the management of acute and chronic mental health problems, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Integrate ethical principles in decision-making and evaluation of the care across the lifespan, diverse populations, and systems of care.
Coordinate health care through interdisciplinary collaboration with members of the health care team.
Advocate for systems and policies that promote health equity, facilitate access to care, empower patients from diverse backgrounds, and address cultural diversity and rural populations.
Assume professional responsibility for maintaining and advancing clinical practice competencies in psychiatric mental health nursing.
Influence the determinants of mental health through leadership, research, education, collaboration, evidence-informed care, and interdisciplinary partnerships.

Our Clinical Experiences

From hospitals to out patience clinics and everything in between. You will have diverse clinical experiences from our highly qualified preceptors – faculty in the community. Your faculty liaison and our staff will support you along the way.

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Student Handbook

Find essential resources, academic progression information, guidelines and program-related requirements to make the best of your nursing education.

Explore the Handbook

Ensuring Your Success

With small class sizes and a hands-on learning approach, we are focused on supporting you. We know each student is different, and we have the resources to ensure your success.

Your faculty will provide tailored feedback and support. Students also have access to our Office of Academic Advising, Office of Academic Success and all of the University support centers available to students.

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FAQ's

There is a lot of information to consider as you prepare to apply to our DNP program. We know you have questions. We have answers.

Your Questions Answered

Why a DNP at UNM?

Going back to school for your DNP is a big decision. Learn why UNM is the right place for you.

Explore DNP PMHNP

PMHNP Program Contact

Admissions & Recruitment Office

College of Nursing
Building 214
Suite 1501
1 University of New Mexico

505-272-4721

HSC-CON-Admissions@salud.unm.edu

Psychiatric Mental Health Concentration Coordinator, Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor

Jennifer Schneider, PhD, PMHNP-BC