OVERVIEW
Help Fill the Critical Need for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice nurse qualified to diagnose and treat patients experiencing mental health challenges. The PMHNP program at WGU is an MSN program specifically designed to prepare BSN-holding nurses to become mental health practitioners. To qualify for this competitive program certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), you must have a BSN degree from an accredited university and meet additional admission requirements. Those wishing to pursue this degree should have at least one year of clinical experience and be actively working. View Program Snapshot.
NOTE: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Is the PMHNP program not the right fit? Compare our health leadership degrees as well as our MSN programs, or explore these programs: