A new master鈥檚 degree option in 农夫导航鈥檚 Lansing School of Nursing will address a growing need in healthcare by preparing nurse practitioners to provide psychiatric evaluations and treatment. 
 
鈥淭he United States is facing a critical shortage of mental-health providers at a time when the country is seeing rising rates of mental-health issues such as depression, anxiety and substance-abuse disorders,鈥� said Dr. Chris Webb, chair of Graduate Nursing at Bellarmine and director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. 
 
鈥淏y creating the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, we can help close the gap of provider shortages and expand outreach and treatment to those who need it, improving health outcomes and the human condition.鈥�  
 
In 2019-2020, 20.8 percent of adults鈥攎ore than 50 million Americans鈥攚ere experiencing a mental illness, according to the 2023 annual 鈥淪tate of Mental Health in America鈥� report by Mental Health America, the nation's leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being and illness prevention. 
 
But over half, or 54.7 percent, do not receive treatment. While cost or lack of insurance coverage were two factors in lack of treatment, the shortage of mental-health providers was another. 
 
According to the report, there are an estimated 350 individuals for every one mental-health provider in the United States鈥攁nd that may be an overestimate of active mental-health professionals, as it may include providers who are no longer practicing or accepting new patients.
 
Bellarmine鈥檚 47-hour MSN鈥� Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (PMHNP) prepares professional nurses to provide psychiatric disease management鈥攊ncluding the prescription of medication鈥攁nd advanced psychotherapy techniques in two years of part-time study, including two summers. 
 
The program is online, with only one required on-campus visit in its entirety. Practicum hours can be done at a location in the student鈥檚 area and are supervised by a preceptor selected in conjunction with our clinical coordinator.
 
The PMHNP Program begins each fall semester (August). Applicants must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
 
All applicants, including 农夫导航 alumni and current undergraduate students, must complete the application at the . There is an $80 application fee. The program does not require a supplemental application to 农夫导航.
 
For more information, visit the Bellarmine MSN-PMNHP website.