Robin Schafer DNP, PMHNP-BC, CPNP Program Director
914-654-5757
Rschafer1@mercy.edu

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is a 43-credit program for students who are registered nurses or students with a master’s in nursing degree who have not taken the 3 Ps (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment). The PMHNP program focuses on mental health disorders across the lifespan. Didactic course content is hybrid online using asynchronous and synchronous formats and in person. The PMHNP program requires 750 hours of direct care face-to-face clinical experiences.

The PMHNP program prepares advanced practice nurses to work in various settings including community health centers, private practice, institutional settings, substance disorder settings, school-based clinics, and shelters for unhoused populations. The PMHNP program educates students about health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and treatment of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, with particular attention to social determinants of health and the psychiatric care to vulnerable populations. The PMHNP program educates students about treatment, medication management, case management, and counseling modalities for individuals, families, and groups.

Admissions Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program college or university
Did not take the 3 Ps ((advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment)
Official transcripts from all accredited colleges/universities attended.
GPA 3.0 or above
Applicants with an international education are required to have their earned credits evaluated by NACES to be comparable to United States standards.
Copy of currently registered and unencumbered RN License and MS License, if applicable
Resume or CV
One Professional or Academic Recommendation
Interview with program faculty
Personal Statement (500-word essay)*

* The personal statement is an important part of the admission decision. Applicants must respond to the Essay prompt. The rubric provides guidance about what is expected.

Application Deadline

Fall Admission: April 15

Spring Admission: October 1

Academic Dismissal

If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program. For students on probation, future course registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Academic Unit Head of the student’s program or Academic Standing Committee.

Students may be dismissed if the GPA remains below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters. The Academic Standing Committee will meet to determine if a student will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Complaints That Fall Outside Existing Policies

The School of Nursing is committed to meeting its mission as it relates to serving our students, potential students, staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, clinical faculty and the public. The School of Nursing and all its Program adhere to Mercy’s existing policies and procedures including but not limited to the Academic Appeals Policy, Policies and Procedures relating to Sexual Misconduct, Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non- grade appeals, student discipline, sexual misconduct complaints, disability accommodations, discrimination and retaliation. In addition to university policies, the School of Nursing, and our accreditor, Commission on College Nursing Education, all have policies and procedures in place that must be followed. If a circumstance arises for which there is no established policy or procedure, we are committed to ensuring that these exceptional complaints are considered and resolved in a timely, fair, consistent and equitable manner.

Procedure: Complaint to the Program: Complaints should be addressed to the Program Director through email. If the program director is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be addressed to the Associate Dean, School of Nursing.

Course Requirements

Nursing, M.S.

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Please review the specific requirements for each major in the Majors section.