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Are you a nurse who wants to meet the needs of your community? More than one-third of the U.S. population lives in areas experiencing shortages of mental health professionals. If you’re currently a registered nurse (RN) with direct or indirect experience in mental health, our Doctor of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP: PMHNP) program can provide you with the advanced clinical knowledge, leadership and research skills to practice at the highest level as a board-certified PMHNP.

Register now for an upcoming Discover DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health at RFU

Program graduates are prepared to provide psychiatric assessments, diagnosis, and psychopharmacological and psychotherapy treatments across the lifespan, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Our interprofessional education model emphasizes the skills essential for collaboration with physicians, counselors, pharmacists and other members of the healthcare team.

Take the first steps toward a rewarding, long-term career as a professional mental health leader in your community. Apply now for our DNP: PMHNP program, and let the journey begin.

Program Highlights

• You choose the program timeline that works for you. We offer 36-month full-time and 48-month part time/decelerated time program completion options. Courses are delivered via a blend of online (synchronous/asynchronous) and annual, two-four day on campus immersion events (four onsite visits during entire program).
• Annual, two-four day on campus immersion events, simulation and lab intensives include exploring the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, practicing clinical assessment and diagnosis with standardized patients, and discussing the application of ethical principles in professional practice.
• We will coordinate ALL of your clinical rotations in our extensive network of clinical partners that includes the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem and The Josselyn Center, a nonprofit community mental health provider for children, adolescents and adults.
• Opportunities to bring mental health services including therapy directly to communities in need through RFU’s Care Coach mobile health clinic.
• Our accomplished faculty will mentor you through clinical focus areas including Community Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders and Psychotherapy.

Program News

Assistant Professor Lisa‑Marie Reyes‑Walsh, DNP, APRN, FNP‑BC, PMHNP‑BC, CARN‑AP, has received the 2023 Mary Jane Seacole Award for Mental Health Professional of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes Atlanta’s “best of the best” for their heroism and leadership in the healthcare and first responder communities.