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Admission Requirements

BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration (BSN-DNP) Admission Information

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Concentration is designed to produce a nursing professional with advance practice nursing skills to provide psychiatric and mental health care to patients across the lifespan.

This program also integrates nursing science with biophysical, psychosocial, analytical and organizational sciences, which graduates use to understand the nature of health and health care delivery and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. The DNP serves as a clinical leader in transforming care of the individual, the community, and the healthcare system.

Graduates will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam for Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners which enhances their opportunity for advancement in the field. They will be able to seek approval to practice as a PMHNP in North Carolina or other state of choice. UNCW's DNP PMHNP Concentration is a 70 credit hour program that can be completed in as few as eight semesters.

PMHNP ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • Degree Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution. 
  • GPA: Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. A GPA as low as 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Transcripts and Pre-requisite Courses: Transcript will demonstrate successful completion of academic credits in undergraduate community health, health and physical assessment, nursing research, and statistics. One official transcript is required from each US post-secondary institution attended. 
  • Licensure: Must have a valid unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse license or a compact state license in order to complete clinical hours in North Carolina. 
  • Recommendations: Three professional references. Recommender will submit a survey through the online application tool.
  • Resume: Include the following:
    • The 600 hours of Registered Nurse work experience prior to beginning any clinical courses in the BSN to DNP program. 
    • Continued education credits/certifications in psychiatric mental health
    • Community engagement experience (non-profit involvement, community agency volunteerism, etc) 
    • Languages spoken  
    • Leadership: formal/informal
    • Educational background
    • Research involvement/experience
    • Years of healthcare experience
    • Affiliations with professional organizations
  • Essay: Maximum 1,000 words
    • Please describe the role and responsibilities and scope of practice of a DNP prepared PMHNP.  
    • What are your professional plans in the future as a DNP prepared PMHNP?  
    • Explain a time when you recognized a need for psych mental health care and the meaning that brings to your future role as a DNP prepared PMHNP. 
    • Discuss at least two experiences that drive your passion to be a DNP prepared PMHNP. 
  • International applicants must present evidence of professional standing in their home countries. This requirement excludes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
  • Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program. Read more about current tuition/fees.

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Contact the DNP PMHNP Program

PMHNP Program Coordinator: Anka Roberto, DNP, MPH, PMHNP-BC, APRN, FNAP

Phone: 910.962.7755

pmhnp-dnp@uncw.edu