Beginning in Fall 2024, new students will complete the updated curriculum (below), aligned with the 2022 AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. If you have questions regarding the updated curriculum, please contact your Program Chair.
Students enrolled before Fall 2024 are not affected.
Professional Licensure Information
Prospective students seeking professional licensure outside of Delaware should verify state licensure requirements before applying. For state-by-state contact information for inquiring about individual state licensure requirements, please visit NC-SARA's Professional Licensure Directory.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program prepares graduates to provide comprehensive mental health services to diverse populations. The program combines theory, practice, and therapeutic interventions to promote the highest level of psychiatric mental health care. 700 hours of clinical practicum, to be completed within various clinical settings, are required.
Graduates are eligible for national board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.
Each student will undergo a GAP analysis to confirm the completion of Advanced Practice Roles, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment across the lifespan. If any of these courses have not been completed, students must complete Advanced Practice Roles, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment across the lifespan before enrolling in the program. All four courses can be taken at Wilmington University.
Program Competencies
In addition to the University’s graduate graduation competencies, students will be able to:
1. Examine evidence-based practice and clinical judgment to improve quality, safety, and clinical outcomes for professional nursing practice;
2. Evaluate social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical principles for professional nursing practice;
3. Analyze health policy, fiscal, and information technology implications for professional nursing practice;
4. Assess the impact of social determinants of health for professional nursing practice;
5. Design effective leadership strategies with interprofessional teams to enhance systems-based professional nursing practice;
6. Demonstrate effective communication, compassionate care, personal health, and professional maturity.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Sub-Competencies:
1. Demonstrate competence in management of patient mental health/ illness;
2. Employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to guide screening activities; identify health promotion needs; and provide anticipatory guidance and counseling addressing environmental, lifestyles, and developmental issues to manage mental health conditions;
3. Plan and implement diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions to help patients with unstable and complex health care problems regain stability and restore mental health in collaboration with the patient and multidisciplinary health care team.
Psychiatric Mental Health NP Certificate Courses
Core Courses (12 Credits)
Completion of Advanced Practice Roles, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment across the lifespan at the APRN level is a prerequisite for enrollment in the Post Masters PMHMP Certificate program. Students who have not completed these courses must do so prior to enrollment.
| GRN 7101 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 4 |
| GRN 7103 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| GRN 7104 | Advanced Health Assessment | 4 |
27 Credits, 700 Clinical Hours
| GRN 7201 | Psychopharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| GRN 7202 | Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders | 3 |
| GRN 7203 | Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions and Evidence-Based Interventions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| GRN 7204 | Therapeutic Modalities and Psychiatric Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| GRN 7205 | Psychiatric Mental Health Application, Management, and Advancement Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| GRN 7221 | Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I | 3 |
| GRN 7222 | Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum II | 3 |
| GRN 7223 | Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum III | 3 |
| GRN 7224 | Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum IV | 3 |