Best Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Bridge, Accelerated, and Alternative Pathways

As mentioned, most students will be required to have a BSN in order to enroll in a nursing graduate program. Bridge, accelerated, and alternative programs are specifically designed to save both time and money for students going back to nursing school. Your eligibility will depend on your previous schooling and professional experience. If you have an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), you’ll have the best chance of being eligible, but even if you don’t, there are still other options available:

• RN to NP
• RN to MSN
• BSN to DNP
• Accelerated MSN
• Master's Entry to Nursing Practice
• Post-Master’s Certificate

Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Fast & Affordable PMHNP Programs

Unfortunately, one thing that prevents nurses from getting their graduate degrees and becoming psychiatric NPs is that nurses simply don’t have the time in their busy schedules to fit in classes. For other nurses, the cost of nurse practitioner programs is just too much for their budget. The good news is that there are still plenty of quick and cheap nurse practitioners across the nation available to nurses in this predicament.

How to Complete a PMHNP Program Quickly

While some PMHNP programs can take upwards of a decade to complete, you’ll find most can be completed in as little as four years, or even less! Here are some tips to help you finish faster:

1. Opting for a full-time program will save you time over a part-time option.
2. Online programs can often be completed more quickly than their on-campus counterparts.
3. MSN PMHNP programs typically take 2 years to complete, much shorter than 3-4 year DNP programs.

A few examples of quick PMHNP programs include:

PMHNP Programs with Affordable Tuition

Though all graduate degree programs are going to cost you a few thousand dollars, it doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to mitigate your costs when it comes to PMHNP tuition.

1. Location – Urban and high-cost living areas will naturally command higher tuition rates.
2. Private vs. Public Schools – Private schools often have higher tuition and fees than public schools.
3. Degree Level – MSN-level PMHNP programs are often shorter and cheaper than DNP options.

Here are a few of the most affordable PMHNP programs available:

PMHNP Curriculum

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program curriculum is designed to equip students with the specialized skills needed to provide mental health care across diverse patient populations. Core courses typically include advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and mental health assessment, along with modules focused on psychotherapy, counseling techniques, and diagnostic skills. Students also learn about psychopharmacology, substance use disorders, and the legal and ethical aspects of mental health care. Clinical practicums are integral to the curriculum, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and managing psychiatric conditions under supervised settings.

Typical Classes/Courses

Below is a bullet-point list of common courses found in PMHNP programs at both the MSN and DNP levels:

• Advanced Health Assessment
• Psychopharmacology
• Neurobiology and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
• Psychotherapy and Counseling Techniques
• Diagnosis and Management of Psychiatric Disorders
• Mental Health Policy and Advocacy
• Substance Use and Addiction Disorders
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Mental Health
• Family Systems and Group Therapy

Program Clinical Requirements

Both MSN and DNP psychiatric NP programs emphasize extensive clinical training to prepare students for advanced mental health practice. Clinical requirements typically range from 500 to over 1,000 hours of supervised experience, depending on the program. Consult your program's guidelines for exact clinical hour requirements.

MSN: PMHNP students in an MSN program generally complete around 500-600 clinical hours, focused on hands-on experience in settings such as outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, and hospitals, working directly with patients across the lifespan.

DNP: DNP-PMHNP programs often require 1,000+ clinical hours, which may include additional time dedicated to advanced clinical roles, leadership training, and project-based initiatives for mental health practice improvement. Students may also complete a clinical residency and a DNP capstone project to demonstrate mastery of psychiatric care and evidence-based mental health practices.

These clinical experiences are crucial for building the competencies necessary for managing complex psychiatric conditions, including skills in diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and comprehensive mental health assessment.

List of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are available across the country, see the following campus, hybrid, and online nurse practitioner programs by state.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.