Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

The Wellstar School of Nursing is set to launch its inaugural cohort of students in the Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate program in January 2025. Tailored for aspiring nurse practitioners driven to enact change, this hybrid program aims to tackle the pressing shortage of psychiatric mental health providers across the United States. Many U.S. counties face a shortage, exacerbated by the aging demographic of practicing psychiatrists, with most aged 55 and older. By embracing ongoing shifts in state legislation, PMHNPs stand ready to bridge these gaps and fulfill the crucial needs of our communities.

Applicants should be registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing, a DNP, or a PhD from an accredited institution. Other admissions requirements include:

• Current unincumbered RN licensure in the state of Georgia. A copy should be submitted with the application.
  
  
• A formal statement of personal goals for the program.
  
  
• Pre-requisites (three separate courses) include:
  
  
  • Advanced Health Assessment within the last 3 years.
    
    
  • Advanced Pharmacology within the last 5 years.
    
    
  • Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology within the last 5 years.

The Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate can be completed in as few as 4 semesters and includes 3 on-campus weekend intensives over the program. Classes meet synchronously online on weeknights between intensives.

The knowledge and skills gained prepares nurses for the PMHNP exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).