Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Description

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program provides qualified students the opportunity to acquire an in-depth theoretical understanding of advanced nursing practice. The program was established in 1965, and graduates of the program are practicing in extremely varied and diverse settings such as community mental health centers, day treatment programs, substance abuse programs, shelters for women and children, liaison settings, and private practice.

Sub-specialization is encouraged and includes work with children, adolescents, adults, elderly, families, alcohol or substance abusing clients, genetic counseling, and consultation/liaison practice. Theory and supervised clinical experience form the foundation for work as a primary therapist for individuals, groups, and families. The program draws on the psychodynamic, developmental, biological, and family systems models. Attention is given to issues of ethnicity, gender, and family values.

Graduates are eligible to take the certifying exam offered by the American Nurses Association and are eligible for licensure in New York State as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.

The Program Director for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty is Penelope Buschman, AB, BS, MS, APRN-BC.

Admission

Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding admission and financial aid packages. Faculty review applications on a rolling basis so that students may apply throughout the year. Please note, applications for the Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Program can only be submitted online.

Admission criteria include:

*RN's with an associate degree and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree are required to complete 5 credits in community health in addition to the course requirement listed

Curriculum

Core Credits
Health and Social Policy: Context for Practice and Research 4
Assessing Clinical Evidence 4
Management in Advanced Practice 1
Interpersonal Violence and Abuse 1
  10
Sciences  
Advanced Pathophysiology 3
Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice 3
Advanced Pharmacology 3
  9
Specialty
Advanced Evaluation and Assessment 3
Psychopathology 2
Development of Human Behavior Across the Life Span 3
Introduction to Addictive Behaviors: Theories of Causation 3
Theory and Practice of Individual Psychotherapy I 2
Theory and Practice of Individual Psychotherapy II 2
Group Theory 2
Group Practicum 2
Family Theory in Context 2
Seminar on Family Therapy and Technique 2
Clinical Practice and Supervision with Families 2
Advanced Practice I – Integration 3-4
Advanced Practice II – Integration 3-4
  31-33
Total Credits 50-52

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing has paved the way for professional nursing since 1892 and continues to lead the field as the foremost institution for advanced practice nursing.

The School of Nursing is a designated World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice. With urban clinical sites, expert faculty practitioners, cutting edge research, and the strength of the Columbia name and reputation, the School of Nursing produces graduates who possess the skills necessary to bring advanced practice nursing into the new millennium. As medical advances offer a cascade of new and useful therapies, the need for more health care providers will increase exponentially. Our country will face many health care challenges in the next 20 years, and nurse practitioners are essential to providing access to quality primary care.

Founded in 1892 as Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, the School became part of Columbia University in 1937 and began offering the baccalaureate degree. It is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the US. In 1956, it became the first nursing program in the country to award a master’s degree in a clinical nursing specialty. In 1999, the School granted its first doctoral degree. More than 9,000 nurses have graduated since the School opened.

The School shares the Columbia University Health Sciences Campus with the Mailman School of Public Health, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Each of these schools adds to the richness and diversity of the educational experience of students and faculty.

School of Nursing faculty have substantial experience in curriculum, instructional design, and research. They maintain expertise in their areas of teaching responsibility through participation at local, regional, and national conferences, involvement in scholarly presentations and publications, and faculty practice.

Columbia University School of Nursing is distinguished by the clinical excellence of its programs and graduates. Columbia nurses are making crucial contributions and improving the health of individuals wherever they practice.

The above information is current as of 6/07 and is subject to change at any time.