Nursing (D.N.P.) - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Melinda Tinkle, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
College of Nursing
Wagner Hall 217, Box 2275
605-688-5178 or 1-888-216-9806, Ext. 2

Program Information

The D.N.P. program was established in 2009. The program was developed in response to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. The position statement supported moving the preparation of advanced practice nurses from the M.S. in Nursing to the Doctoral level by the year 2015.

The purpose of the D.N.P. program is to prepare Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.

In addition to delivering evidence-based direct patient care at an advanced practice level to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings, graduates of the D.N.P. program will learn skills needed to produce and implement valuable evidence to guide practice and are prepared to work collaboratively with rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Program Outcomes

To prepare graduates as clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.
To prepare graduates to deliver evidence-based direct patient care to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings.
To prepare graduates to produce and implement scientific evidence to guide practice.
To prepare graduates to work collaboratively with frontier, urban, and rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following competencies:

Integrate theoretical and scientific underpinnings of nursing and other disciplines to address emerging healthcare and practice issues. (Transferable Skill: Intellectual Traits)
Engage in health policy at all levels to influence healthcare delivery concerns, such as health disparities, cultural sensitivity, ethics, access to care, health finance, and quality of care. (Transferable Skill: Awareness of Public Policy- Regulatory Affairs)
Demonstrate leadership at the organizational and/or systems level to address health outcomes of individuals and populations though evidence-based initiatives. (Transferable Skill: Leadership – Management)
Utilize advanced nursing knowledge and information systems/technology related to clinical prevention and health promotion to address gaps in healthcare. (Transferable Skill: Intellectual Traits)
Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes. (Transferable Skill: Leadership – Management)
Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design, and deliver mental health care for individuals across the lifespan. (Transferable Skill: Diversity Awareness; Intellectual Traits)

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Licensure

Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.

Certification

After completing the program of study, graduates are eligible to complete certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

National Certification Eligibility	Certifying Body
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC)	American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Course Delivery Format

The program coursework is delivered online and includes a field-based practicum.

Facilities and Services

The College of Nursing provides world-class facilities and a variety of student services and programs for graduate student engagement.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Doctor of Nursing Practice	Post Master’s to D.N.P.	49 Credits
	B.S.N. to D.N.P.	75 Credits

Core Requirements

Post Master’s to D.N.P.

For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

HSC 631 - Biostatistics I Credits: 3
NURS 732 - Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology Across the Lifespan Credits: 2
NURS 733 - Psychopathological Disorders Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
NURS 734 - Theories and Interventions for Individuals and Groups Credits: 2
NURS 735 - Advanced Psychiatric Assessment and Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Credits: 2
NURS 736 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Across the Lifespan I Credits: 4
NURS 737 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Across the Lifespan II Credits: 5
NURS 750 - Transformational Leadership in Nursing Credits: 3
NURS 780 - Clinical Genetics and Genomics: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 781 - Clinical Epidemiology: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 835 - Ethical Issues Influencing Practice and Research in Health Credits: 2
NURS 850 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Care Credits: 3
NURS 855 - Translational Research in Health Care Credits: 3
NURS 860 - Health Operations and Financial Management for Nurse Leaders Credits: 3
NURS 875 - DNP Intensive Credits: 1-9 (3 credits required)
NURS 880 - DNP Project Credits: 1-8 (8 credits required)
PHA 738 - Health Informatics Credits: 1

Total Required Credits: 49 Credits (Post Master’s to D.N.P.)

B.S.N. to D.N.P.

For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

HSC 631 - Biostatistics I Credits: 3
NURS 615 - Foundations of Advanced Nursing Credits: 3
NURS 623 - Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan - Application to Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 2-4 (4 credits required)
NURS 631 - Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan Credits: 4
NURS 631L - Advanced Assessment - Lifespan Clinical Laboratory Credits: 0
NURS 670 - Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics Credits: 3
NURS 732 - Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology Across the Lifespan Credits: 2
NURS 733 - Psychopathological Disorders Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
NURS 734 - Theories and Interventions for Individuals and Groups Credits: 2
NURS 735 - Advanced Psychiatric Assessment and Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Credits: 2
NURS 736 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Across the Lifespan I Credits: 4
NURS 737 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Across the Lifespan II Credits: 5
NURS 750 - Transformational Leadership in Nursing Credits: 3
NURS 760 - Advanced Concepts in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Credits: 3
NURS 780 - Clinical Genetics and Genomics: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 781 - Clinical Epidemiology: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 835 - Ethical Issues Influencing Practice and Research in Health Credits: 2
NURS 850 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Care Credits: 3
NURS 855 - Translational Research in Health Care Credits: 3
NURS 860 - Health Operations and Financial Management for Nurse Leaders Credits: 3
NURS 875 - DNP Intensive Credits: 1-9 (8 credits required)
NURS 880 - DNP Project Credits: 1-8 (8 credits required)
PHA 645 - Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan: Application to Advanced Practice Credits: 2-4 (4 credits required)
PHA 738 - Health Informatics Credits: 1

Total Required Credits: 75 Credits (B.S.N. to D.N.P.)

Additional Admissions Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based, OR
IELTS: 6.5 total band

Additional Admissions Requirements for Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner must have:

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years of enrollment in the designated research course within the D.N.P. program coursework.
Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program. A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.
Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

Additional Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the B.S.N. to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization must have:

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years of enrollment in the designated research course within the D.N.P. program coursework.
Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program. A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.
Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements .