Doctor of Nursing Practice

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Concentration Overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP-PMHNP) concentration is an extension of the state's first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for advanced practice nurses.

The DNP-PMHNP concentration prepares advanced practice nurses to provide psychiatric and mental healthcare to clients, families, and communities. Coursework emphasizes the care of adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients and their families. The doctoral-level education provides the clinical and management expertise to improve health care outcomes. The program enables nurses to become expert nurse leaders and collaborators in solving health care problems in systems. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. Cohort locations are on our Augusta and Athens campuses.

Spring Admission is ONLY for AU CNL graduates and our Post-Graduate Certificate program.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Augusta University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Fall 2022 Admission deadline is June 15, 2022

Spring 2023 Admission deadline is October 15, 2022
Spring admission is only available to graduates of AU's CNL program.

*If you are interested in the DNP/AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, or PNP, be aware that you must reside in either Georgia or South Carolina to attend the program due to the clinical requirements and need for instructors to visit you, your preceptor, and clinical site.

 Request Program Information Admission Requirements Apply 

Contact Us

Doctor of Nursing Practice

dnp@augusta.edu

706.721.3676

Janelle Mangrum

Program Manager

Judy Glaser

Concentration Coordinator

The DNP core courses provide the foundation of health care policy, evidence-based practice, leadership and systems management that prepares the advanced practice nurse to deliver optimal care in the ever-changing health care.

Students complete more than 1000 hours of clinical and simulated experiences which emphasize essential competencies to address the mental health care needs of patients and their families. Complex needs of vulnerable populations is threaded throughout the course of study. Faculty and students work collaboratively to identify clinical sites and preceptors.

This program prepares students to meet the eligibility requirements of the certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center after graduation.

CURRICULUM

  • Hybrid of online and offline learning
  • Attend full time or part time (and work while you attend school)
  • Interactive web-based classes taught by experienced online instructors
  • Capstone/practice project completed in your area of expertise
  • Opportunity to study with faculty who are practice experts
  • Scientific/Social/Psychological Foundation: Integrates and applies nursing and foundational sciences to effectively practice in complex, evolving healthcare systems
  • Safe Quality Care Within Healthcare Systems: Analyze and effect quality outcomes in healthcare system
  • Evidenced Based Practice/Research: Improve healthcare outcomes with application of evidence in the healthcare environment
  • Health Care Technology/Informatics: Analyzes and facilitates the use of information systems/ technology to monitor and improve patient care outcomes and healthcare systems.
  • Health Care Policy: Analyzes the multiple levels of policy to advocate for issues which have actual or potential impact on nursing and healthcare outcomes.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication: Employs strategies to lead develop and contribute toward productive interprofessional teams for the improvement of healthcare outcomes.
  • Population Health: Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, synthesize and apply theory, models, and research to impact health care of diverse populations.
  • Professional Practice: Utilizes the competencies of an advanced practice expert to design, implement and evaluate evidence based care within specialty.
  • Evaluate and apply theories and research findings to the advanced practice of nursing.
  • Collaborate with health care providers and consumers to design and initiate strategies to influence the nature and outcomes of health care services.
  • Engage in advanced practice based on legal and ethical principles and professional standards of practice.
  • Assume a leadership role in identifying and resolving issues that have an actual or potential impact on nursing and health care.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills of an advanced practice nurse in a variety of client care situations.
  • Continue to acquire knowledge and skills required to maintain and enhance advanced practice expertise.