Where neuroscience meets mental healthcare
Our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track within the DNP degree program prepares you to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental healthcare for individuals across the lifespan, with a focus on assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacological management and psychotherapeutic treatment of psychiatric and substance use disorders.
PMHNP practice focuses on:
- Assessing and diagnosing psychiatric and substance use disorders
- Prescribing and managing psychopharmacological treatment
- Providing psychotherapeutic interventions
- Integrating neuroscience-based approaches to care
You will learn to care for individuals across the lifespan, from childhood through older adulthood.
Program format
The PMHNP track follows the standard DNP program format: online coursework combining required live online sessions with asynchronous work, plus up to one on-campus intensive each quarter. Clinical placements begin in spring quarter of year two. All clinical placements are arranged by the UW School of Nursing and are located in Washington state.
What makes our DNP-PMHNP track different?
The PMHNP track combines neuroscience-based psychiatric preparation, advanced pharmacology, hands-on simulation and coordinated clinical placements. You’ll develop expertise in psychiatric assessment and treatment across the lifespan while learning within UW’s interdisciplinary research and healthcare environment.
Learn in an interdisciplinary research environment
Connect with faculty and research opportunities across the UW School of Nursing in an interdisciplinary environment focused on improving health for individuals and communities.
Build clinical competency through hands-on simulation
Strengthen your assessment, diagnostic reasoning and patient communication skills during your on-campus intensives in our INACSL-endorsed Simulation Center, a controlled, psychologically safe environment for developing advanced practice competencies.
We coordinate your clinical placements
UW works with UW Medicine and an expansive network of clinical and community partners to integrate psychiatric and behavioral health experiences into your program plan.
Integrate neuroscience, pharmacology and psychiatric care
Curriculum
You’ll build a foundation in population health, health policy, evidence appraisal and translation, leadership and health systems alongside DNP students from every specialty track, while advancing your knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics and comprehensive health assessment.
Specialty coursework in psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, psychotherapeutic modalities, biological interventions, psychopharmacology and the management of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan leads into a sequence of advanced clinical practica, clinical immersion and your DNP Project.
National certifications
Graduates of our DNP-PMHNP program may be eligible to apply for the following national certifications:
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) certification examination (PMHNP-BC): American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Certified (NP-C): Nurse Practitioner Certification Board
Why choose the DNP-PMHNP track at UW?
A perspective from the specialty director
“Pursuing a DNP degree is a major commitment, so choosing the right program is important. Beyond accreditation and reputation, I encourage students to think about where they will be supported, challenged and inspired. That’s what I appreciate about the UW School of Nursing. It is a place where students are challenged to grow while knowing they have a community supporting them along the way.
Each of our students brings unique clinical experiences, personal backgrounds and life stories. Together, we create a supportive learning community where we learn from one another while engaging in scientific inquiry, embracing evidence-based practice, exploring human experience and developing each person’s authentic clinical style.
One of the greatest joys of teaching is witnessing students grow into confident, compassionate and socially responsible clinicians who are grounded in their values, find meaning in their work and take pride in the care they provide.”
Experience & impact
Mental health in focus
Psychiatric nurse practitioner Noah Weatherton shares his perspective on the mental health crisis affecting older men.
Application deadlines
You may apply to each specialty track once per admissions year.
Review application requirements
Apply through the UW Graduate School