Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Concentration, M.S.N.

The James Madison University School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with concentrations offered as:

• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Nurse Administrator (NA)
• Nurse Midwifery (NMW) (in conjunction with Shenandoah University)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) (in conjunction with Shenandoah University)

All concentrations are designed to meet the Essentials of Masters Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011). Students are admitted for full-time or part-time study. Full-time students can complete the program in four full-time academic semesters. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration requires 49 credits. The FNP concentration meets the competencies outlined by the National Organization of the Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).  Students complete 650 contact practicum hours. The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration requires 46 credits. The AGPCNP concentration meets the competencies outlined by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioners (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Students complete 650 contact practicum hours. Graduates of the nurse practitioner concentrations are eligible to take the appropriate certification examination through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The leadership options are Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), which requires 38 credit hours or Nurse Administrator (NA), which requires 32 credit hours of study for applicants who have a BSN. A transcript analysis will be completed on all students who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program and an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in another field to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During this transcript review, the plan of study may include up to 11 extra credits. Graduates of the CNL concentration are prepared to provide leadership in providing direct clinical care. The NA concentration prepares graduates to assume management positions within health care organizations. Students are admitted for full-time or part-time study. The CNL option is designed to meet the competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); and the Nurse Administrator is designed to meet the competencies established by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). Students complete 400 hours of practicum experience. Graduates of the CNL program are eligible to take the CNL certification examination offered by the Commission on Nurse Certification.

The Nurse Midwifery concentration is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. Students complete the first year of study (22 credits) at James Madison University, and the second year of study at Shenandoah University (19 credits). Refer to Shenandoah University’s Graduate Catalog for most recent information on their courses as changes to credits at Shenandoah University may occur over the next academic cycle. The JMU credits may be taken part-time or full-time. The second year of nurse midwifery courses is taken in full-time study at Shenandoah University. Upon completion of the full curriculum, students will graduate with an MSN degree from James Madison University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Nurse Midwifery from Shenandoah University.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. Students complete the first year of study (22 credits) at James Madison University, and the second year of study at Shenandoah University (29 credits). The JMU credits may be taken part-time or full-time. The second year of psychiatric mental health courses is taken in full-time study at Shenandoah University. Upon completion of the full curriculum, students will graduate with an MSN degree from James Madison University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Shenandoah University.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the M.S.N. program prospective students must:

• Complete the online application for The Graduate School and on NURSINGCAS.

  • Apply to The Graduate School.

    • After completing the Graduate School application, download a screen shot of your application fee receipt and save it as a PDF file, then upload to NURSINGCAS as directed in the instructions outlined in step 2 (below).

  • Apply to NURSINGCAS.

    • Submit all required documents.

    • DO NOT submit these within the JMU Graduate School application.

• Hold a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license.
• Be admitted to The Graduate School.
• Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) or a baccalaureate degree in another field with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 (3.0 NP concentrations/Nurse Midwifery applicants only)
• Have relevant professional clinical experience.
• Have taken undergraduate courses in statistics with a grade of “C” or higher. 
• Meet the school’s technical standards for admission. 
• Provide evidence of personal and professional qualifications in the form of two (2) professional recommendations.
• Complete an interview upon request.
• Have health documentation and CPR certification.
• Foreign school graduates: Pass CGFNS Exam, R.N. License, TOEFL (Paper: 570 or higher; Electronic: 88 or higher).

* A transcript analysis will be completed on all students who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program and an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in another field to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During this transcript review, the plan of study may include up to 11 extra credits.

Application Deadline

Applications are processed on a rolling admission basis until the class fills for the CNL and Nurse Administrator tracks. Nurse Practitioner applicants have a fall deadline. Full and part-time students will enter the program in the summer or fall semester of each year.

Application Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria includes previous academic and scholarly work, professional experience, professional references, and a personal and professional goal statement and its relationship to the mission of the School of Nursing. Professional references will be reviewed, and an interview may be required.