Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares students to become advanced practice nurses in the psychiatric mental health field.

The concentration courses build on the core curriculum for advanced practice. The use of current research from mental health nursing and allied disciplines supports and promotes evidence-based practice. Both somatic and nonsomatic treatment modalities are taught including collaborative psychopharmacological management; individual, group and family level interventions; and crisis and time-limited therapies as well as consultative and case management roles.

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PROGRAM FEATURES

  • Hybrid online curriculum with required on-campus visits twice a semester
  • On-site requirements provide opportunities for networking with peers, formative learning, and summative assessments of advanced clinical skills within the College of Nursing’s high-fidelity simulation center.
  • Synchronous online course meetings will occur throughout the semester for case discussions, content review, and presentations. These mandatory online course meetings will be scheduled prior to the beginning of the term so students may arrange their schedules accordingly.
  • Clinical rotations offer the student opportunities to practice their clinical skills and be mentored by licensed health care providers.

CURRICULUM

Prospective applicants can review the current Program of Study to learn more about the sequencing of courses and timeline for the program.

2024 Program of Study (BSN-DNP)

RESIDENCE AND LICENSURE

Special note for prospective students with residence and licensure outside of Tennessee: Graduate students may only complete clinical or project immersion hours in the state of their official residence and licensure. Students wishing to complete clinical or project immersion hours in a state other than Tennessee are responsible for ensuring the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has a state authorization with the Board of Nursing in their state of residence. Additionally, Students who reside outside of Tennessee and plan to complete clinical or project immersion hours in a state other than Tennessee, will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM DETAILS

Students will complete a minimum of 600 hours of direct patient care clinical hours as part of the 1000 required hours to confer the DNP degree. Beginning Fall 2024 students will complete a minimum of 840 hours of direct patient care clinical hours.


Identification of clinical sites and preceptors involves a collaboration between the student and CON faculty and staff. Students are encouraged to identify potential clinical sites and preceptors. Concentration Coordinators have ultimate approval of all clinical placements. Students desiring to complete clinical rotations outside the state of Tennessee must be familiar with their state Board of Nursing requirements for graduate clinical placements. Questions should be directed to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs.

PROGRAM FEES

For more information regarding fees please visit our Graduate Tuition & Fees page.