Become a Highly Skilled, Mission-Driven Practitioner

Today’s strained healthcare system is in dire need of professionals who are qualified to treat individuals experiencing mental health concerns. Dominican’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program will equip you with the in-demand skills and knowledge to help patients navigate behavioral and mental health challenges, especially those in underserved communities. 

As more people seek mental health services, the importance of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) has never been more evident. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners play major roles in healthcare settings, including assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders; providing psychotherapy; prescribing medications; collaborating with other healthcare professionals; and educating patients and their families on mental health issues and treatment options. 

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9
Semesters to Earn Your PhD
#1
Best Value in Illinois (U.S. News & World Report)
30,000+
Connections Through Dominican’s Robust Alumni Network

Dominican’s Program At a Glance 

Designed with the working-student in mind, Dominican’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is offered in an online format with three in-person immersion dates built into the curriculum. The immersion experiences will provide bonding opportunities with your cohort peers as you work together on class content, project presentations, writing intensive sessions and hone advanced practice clinical skills. This flexible scheduling format will allow you to work outside of your studies and advance your career opportunities within the healthcare profession at the same time. And, you’ll also have access to hands-on learning experiences and high-impact research opportunities in our state-of-the-art Simulation Education Center.

Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam, a necessary step to acquire your licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in your state of residence and practice.

Program Highlights

  • Nine semesters to complete
  • 100% online with three immersion dates
  • 70 credit hour total
  • Your faculty advisor will help you achieve required academic and professional milestones in the program. 
  • Access high-impact research opportunities that focus on improving patient outcomes.
  • Benefit from established partnerships with mental health institutions and nursing schools that facilitate clinical experiences and job placement after graduation. 

Dominican’s program was developed in response to the growing national demand for mental health professionals, especially those who are trained to serve diverse and underserved populations. This mission-driven program is a perfect fit for students interested in becoming professionals who return to serve their communities.” 

Dr. Tamara Bland
Dean, Borra College of Health Sciences, Dominican University

What You'll Learn

Extensive practical experiences and high-impact research opportunities are built into your curriculum, helping you develop the foundational theory and real-world skills you’ll need to successfully deliver compassionate, psychiatric mental health services. And, with a focus on collaboration, our powerful curriculum will provide you with the leadership, communication and interpersonal skills you’ll need to improve patient health outcomes in an increasingly interdependent profession. 

You’ll study advanced psychiatric mental health across different age groups and populations while developing specialized knowledge to manage ethical, legal, cultural, and socially just person-centered care in all healthcare settings. You’ll graduate as an advanced nursing professional  capable of integrating clinical expertise with political skills, systems thinking and business insight to transform the evolving healthcare system at local and regional levels.

For those interested in making a difference at a global scale, our program’s global health focus will also prepare you to facilitate and advocate for patient care in underserved areas around the world.

Advance in a Rapidly Growing Career Field

At Dominican University, you’ll be prepared to not only join the field, but to lead a life of purpose and impact.

Continued Growth

Demand for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners is expected to grow 45% until 2029—much faster than average.

High-Demand Positions

About 135,500 openings for professionals are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

A Relationship-Centered Approach to Healthcare 

Dominican’s program educates caring and skillful practitioners who contribute to the public good every day by serving patients with profound dedication and compassion. Our distinctive focus on interprofessional collaboration and cultural competence means that you’ll gain not only professional skills but also a deep understanding of group dynamics and the interpersonal subtleties of today’s multidisciplinary healthcare teams. 

You’ll learn to communicate effectively with patients, and prepare to navigate the profession’s social, legal and ethical complexities. In the classroom and in clinical settings, you’ll prepare to play a vital role in positively transforming the way our nation provides mental healthcare. Additionally, your degree will serve as a foundation to train the next generation of nurses in providing high-quality mental health services.

Our faculty come from across the country and around the world. They bring visionary approaches to advancing the complex and flourishing field of healthcare. Our cohort model ensures deep intellectual engagement and powerful professional development within a close-knit, collaborative learning environment. 

A team of advisors, professors and peers will accompany you as you work to achieve your academic, research and professional development goals. The program will build on Dominican University’s already existing strengths in nursing and our deep commitment to shaping the health of our communities through compassionate service. 

Additionally, students will find opportunities for high-level integration of knowledge into specific professional practice. This demanding, yet flexible, program will help you deepen your skills, expand your leadership potential and prepare you for long-term success in your career.

  • A cohort model that encourages intellectual engagement, collaboration and professional development
  • The ability to work closely with faculty members with years of professional and scholarly experience
  • A team of advisors, faculty members and peers will counsel you on achieving your goals
  • Connect to a strong alumni network of healthcare leaders around the world
  • Wide-ranging research: Dominican students have produced successful dissertations on a wide variety of topics
  • Take part in a program that is intentionally designed to be operationally flexible

As a student in Dominican’s program, you’ll experience:

  • Dominican’s focus on interprofessional collaboration, emphasis on cultural competence, strong and unmatched clinical partnerships
  • Emphasis on technology and innovation utilizing the university’s state-of-the-art simulation education center
  • Flexibility and convenience offering flexible scheduling options, such as an online program with scheduled immersion weekends
  • Global health focus for students who are interested in making a difference on a global scale focusing on addressing health disparities and providing care to underserved populations around the world

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Enrollment Management
gradinfo@dom.edu

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