Florida Atlantic University Launches Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has launched a new online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration which will be offered as a post-master’s certificate starting this fall. The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates that 5 million Floridians are without access to mental health providers, with only 26 percent of mental health provider needs met throughout the state. The PMHNP concentration is designed to alleviate a critical shortage of mental health providers in Florida.

The current supply of mental health providers is unable to meet the growing mental health needs of the state, making programs like FAU’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration a necessity. Master’s level nurses who complete the program will help increase access to mental health services and enhanced psychiatric mental health nursing care for children, adults, economically disadvantaged populations, veterans, and active duty US military members and their families.

Karethy Edwards, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Programs at FAU tells The Boca Raton Tribune, “The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration was created in response to a need from our clinical partners and the community. In Florida, the need for mental health providers who can provide both pharmacological and non-pharmacological care is growing.”

The application deadline for the PMHNP post-master’s certified is July 1 and all applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing. Students in the BSN to DNP program will also be offered the PMHNP track beginning in summer 2018. To learn more about FAU’s new Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, visit here.