Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP

Prepare to deliver advanced mental health care and lead change in a growing, high-need field.

Advance your practice and expand access to mental health care through Lenoir-Rhyne’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track. This BSN-to-DNP program prepares you to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions across the lifespan while helping address critical gaps in behavioral health care.

You will build advanced expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy while strengthening your leadership in evidence-based, patient-centered care.

Offered in a hybrid/online format, the 77-credit-hour program aligns with national standards for advanced practice nursing education, including American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and nurse practitioner competencies. Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Program Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track within the Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles in mental and behavioral health. The curriculum integrates advanced nursing science with clinical practice, leadership and health systems knowledge to prepare you for practice at the highest level.

This program builds the skills to:

• Assess, diagnose and manage psychiatric conditions across the lifespan
• Prescribe and manage psychopharmacologic treatments
• Provide individual, group and family psychotherapy
• Integrate evidence-based practice into clinical decision-making
• Lead improvements in health care delivery and patient outcomes

Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and to serve as clinicians, leaders and advocates in a wide range of health care settings.

Advanced Practice Preparation

Build the knowledge, clinical experience and leadership skills needed to deliver high-quality mental health care and expand access in high-need communities. This program combines advanced training, hands-on experience and real-world application to prepare you for practice at the highest level.

Behavioral Health Practice

Prepare to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions across the lifespan while leading improvements in behavioral health care.

Eligibility for PMHNP-BC certification

Advanced practice across diverse care settings

Leadership in patient-centered care delivery

Clinical Experience

Build real-world expertise through more than 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical and project-based training.

750 direct patient care hours

300 doctoral project hours

Progressive practica across the lifespan

Experience in hospital, community and telehealth settings

Practice-Ready Preparation

The program combines flexibility, clinical depth and strong regional partnerships to prepare you for advanced practice.

Hybrid/online format designed for working nurses

Partnerships with leading regional health systems and community providers

Curriculum aligned with AACN Essentials and PMHNP competencies

Focus on rural and underserved populations

Preparing Leaders in Behavioral Health Care

The demand for psychiatric mental health providers continues to grow nationwide, with significant shortages in rural and underserved communities. In North Carolina, only a small percentage of nurse practitioners are certified in psychiatric mental health, contributing to limited access to care.

This program is designed to help address that need—preparing practice-ready clinicians who can expand access, improve outcomes and lead change in behavioral health systems.

Program Highlights

• Advanced clinical preparation
  Build expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
• Extensive hands-on experience
  Complete more than 1,000 clinical and project hours, including immersive practicum experiences.
• Leadership-focused curriculum
  Develop skills in health policy, quality improvement and systems leadership.
• Doctoral project experience
  Apply research and evidence-based practice to a real-world clinical or systems challenge.
• Designed for working professionals
  A flexible format supports your ability to continue working while advancing your education.

Clinical Experience

You will complete more than 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical and project-based experience, preparing you for advanced practice across the lifespan.

• 750 direct patient care hours focused on psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment
• 300 doctoral project hours applying evidence-based practice to real-world clinical or systems challenges
• Progressive clinical practicums that build experience across the lifespan and diverse populations
• Experience in psychotherapy and medication management across a range of behavioral health conditions
• Opportunities in hospital, outpatient, community and telehealth settings

This integrated experience strengthens your skills in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered behavioral health care. 

Students complete clinical experiences with leading regional health systems and community partners, including Atrium Health, UNC Health Blue Ridge and Catawba Valley Medical Center, as well as a range of behavioral health organizations.

Certification & Licensure

Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) through recognized certifying bodies.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP track is competitive and designed for registered nurses seeking advanced practice preparation.

Qualified applicants typically have:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program
• An active, unencumbered RN license – Professional/clinical experience as an RN
• Strong academic record - is a specific GPA required, is the GRE required, specific prerequisite courses beyond BS in Nursing, letters of recommendation, statement requirements or any other requirements
• Eligibility to complete required clinical experiences

Additional application requirements may apply. Talk with an admission counselor for more information.

Designed for Impact in Behavioral Health Care

You’ll build a strong foundation in business, develop specialized expertise in hospitality and tourism, and gain real-world experience that prepares you for what’s next.

Business Foundation

Lenoir-Rhyne’s PMHNP program combines flexibility, clinical depth and real-world experience to prepare you for advanced practice in today’s behavioral health landscape.

• Regionally accessible PMHNP program in a high-need area
• Flexible hybrid/online format designed for working nurses
• Strong partnerships with regional health systems and community providers
• Curriculum aligned with AACN Essentials and PMHNP competencies
• Focus on rural and underserved populations

Hospitality & Tourism Preparation

Learn how to design and manage experiences through coursework in hospitality and tourism fundamentals, lodging and resort management, food and beverage operations, event management, leisure and recreation, and innovation in hospitality, along with a capstone and internship.

Test

Build the knowledge, clinical experience and leadership skills needed to deliver high-quality mental health care and expand access in high-need communities. This program combines advanced training, hands-on experience and real-world application to prepare you for practice at the highest level.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Preparation

Prepare to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions across the lifespan while leading improvements in behavioral health care.

• Eligibility for PMHNP-BC certification
• Advanced practice across diverse care settings
• Leadership in patient-centered care delivery

Clinical Experience

Build real-world expertise through more than 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical and project-based training.

• 750 direct patient care hours
• 300 doctoral project hours
• Progressive practica across the lifespan
• Experience in hospital, community and telehealth settings

Practice-Ready Preparation

Lenoir-Rhyne’s PMHNP program combines flexibility, clinical depth and strong regional partnerships to prepare you for advanced practice.

• Hybrid/online format designed for working nurses
• Partnerships with leading regional health systems and community providers
• Curriculum aligned with AACN Essentials and PMHNP competencies
• Focus on rural and underserved populations