MSN PMHNP Program Admission Requirements

Registered nurses who have graduated from a nationally accredited MSN program may pursue a post-master’s certificate education at TAMIU. The advancement of the profession of nursing requires a commitment to continuing education and lifelong learning. Students obtaining an MSN from TAMIU will provide the South Texas region with nurses with the advanced knowledge and competencies to improve health outcomes for citizens of the region.

To be considered for admittance to a masters' program in nursing, the nursing masters' student must meet both the general requirements listed at TAMIU http://catalog.tamiu.edu/graduate-information/dr-fm-canseco-nursing/ and the specific requirements set by Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

1. Submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies. 

2.Comply with all TAMIU Graduate Admission Requirements as defined in the catalog for the year of admission at http://catalog.tamiu.edu/graduate-information/admissions/.

3. A valid unencumbered RN license without restrictions in the State of Texas.

4.Evidence of a baccalaureate nursing degree from a nationally accredited college or university.

5. Evidence of a completed graduate degree from a nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.

6.Successful completion of APRN core courses: Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment and Advanced Pathophysiology from a prior master's degree. 

7. Students who have not successfully completed the APRN core courses are required to take these courses at TAMIU, before they can be accepted into the PMHNP program.

8. Required immunizations, medical health insurance, physical examination completed by a licensed medical health provider, criminal background check and drug screen must be submitted separately to a designated vendor for repository of documents, i.e. Verified Credentials.

• Immunizations: MMR and varicella immunizations or rubeola, rubella or varicella titers; Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis); Hepatitis B (HBV) series or HBV titer or signed informed refusal; Annual influenza vaccination (received in the Fall of each year).

• Verification of drug and criminal background screening by a designated company or agency at student expense. (Contact the Director of graduate Program for questions).

• Submit a signed release of information form for release of information to the CNHS. (Contact the Director of graduate Program for this form).

• Annual tuberculosis (TB) skin test or blood test.
• Students are required to provide proof of health insurance obtained from a U.S. health insurance provider.

Program Description

The Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is designed as a post graduate certificate course of study available for registered nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree seeking a secondary specialty. The coursework and practicums will prepare graduates to assume a healthcare provider role as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to provide health care for clients across the lifespan with psychiatric and mental healthcare needs. The PMHNP program prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, and provide clinical management through psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and collaborative interventions to facilitate wellness and treatments for clients and their families in a variety of settings. As a PMHNP provider, mental health services can be provided in the community, acute care, inpatient, telehealth, private practice, and a variety of healthcare settings for clients across the lifespan. Graduates will also engage in health promotion and illness prevention strategies with their population, utilizing research to improve patient care and patient care systems. The foundation for advance practice is focused on content included in the core courses in pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and health assessments.

Upon completion of course requirements & clinical hours, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) for recognition as a PMHNP. The curriculum also includes coursework required by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners (TBON) to be qualified as an APRN, They will not, however, earn a second graduate degree.  

Note: Applicants who are not licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, will be required to take Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Advanced Health Assessments to meet the foundational pre-requisites and requirements of an APRN degree or certificate program.  

The PMHNP Graduate Certificate is 29 credits total. All six courses are required.  The three theory courses for this certificate will be offered online with one required on campus learning intensive simulation at end of first semester at Texas A&M International University, College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Laredo, Texas. The on-campus learning intensives augments the online course work and allows assessment of students to ensure that advanced level competencies have been met before starting clinical practicum.

The three clinical practicum courses (total = 765) must be completed with a preceptor in a clinical setting, but may include telehealth hours, subject to course training, content, location, and faculty approval. All practicums must take place in Texas. The clinical practicum hours are completed in the student’s home area with approved preceptors. Students are required to find their own clinical practice sites and preceptors; however, a coordinator or faculty will collaborate with students to secure clinical sites and preceptors for their clinical courses. Faculty evaluate both the clinical sites and preceptors to verify that clinical experiences are consistent with course and certification requirements, ensuring students have a productive clinical experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

MSN Program Mission Statement

To educate advance practice nurse leaders who, through research, policy, and practice will promote health and wellbeing of local, national and international communities so that all people can thrive.

MSN Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSN program, graduates will:

1. Critically analyze, interpret and utilize appropriate knowledge, research and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse client populations across the lifespan.

2. Collaboratively plan the delivery of culturally sensitive health care with organizations and the community.

3. Contribute to the advancement of nursing profession through evidenced-based research and practice.

4. Synthesize the leadership management, negotiating, teaching/coaching and consulting roles to foster continual improvement in order to meet changing societal and environmental needs.

5. Operationalize ethical, legal, political, and economic principles in application to management of healthcare delivery across the lifespan.

6. Advocate for advanced nursing practice through a commitment to lifelong learning and community service.

Marketable Skills

Scientific Foundation        

• Critically analyzes existing data and evidence for improving advanced nursing practice and patient care.
• Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences in providing primary care to patients across the lifespan.
• Translates and implements current research and other forms of knowledge to improve patient care.

Leadership

• Creates interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration with multiple stakeholders (e.g., patients, community integrated health care teams) in providing primary care.
• Communicates practice knowledge clearly and effectively both in oral and written formats.

Quality Competencies       

• Evaluates how organizational structures, care processes, financing, marketing and policy decisions impact the quality of care provided to patients across the lifespan.
• Acknowledges the importance of life-long learning as a health care provider in primary care.

Practice Inquiry       

• Educated in graduate-level investigative skills to conduct clinical investigations in the practice settings to improve patient outcomes.

Technological & Information Literacy   

• Integrates appropriate technologies such as use of appropriate applications in the management of acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan.
• Competent in the use of electronic medical records and the proper use of ICD-10 and CPT coding in making appropriate insurance claims.

Policy Competencies         

• Advocates for ethical policies that promote access, equity, quality, affordability of care in safe and healthy practice environments. 

Health Delivery System    

• Applies knowledge of organizational practices and complex systems to improve health care delivery.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members in the planning for transitions across the continuum of care.

Ethics                         

• Applies ethical principles in finding sound solutions pertaining to complex issues in patient care.

Independent Practice       

• Functions as an independent family nurse practitioner within the scope of practice designated by the Texas Board of Nursing.
• Provides a full spectrum of health care services including health promotion, disease prevention, health protection, anticipatory guidance, counseling, disease management, palliative and end-of-life care.

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Credit Hours
Coursework
NURS 5411	Theory & Concepts Across Life	4
NURS 5412	Adv Practice Nursing Theory I	4
NURS 5414	Adv Practice Nursing Theory II	4
NURS 5513	Adv Practice Nurs Practicum I	5
NURS 5515	Adv Practice Nur Practicum II	5
NURS 5716	Int Psyc-Mental Health Pract	7
Total Semester Credit Hours		29