The Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing track prepares nurses to assume advanced practice positions as providers of primary mental health care to individuals in traditional and nontraditional settings. Preparation for advanced practice nursing with adults is emphasized and includes supervised clinical experiences with individuals, groups and families. Coursework may focus on the Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist or Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner role. Post master’s certificates in Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner programs are also available. For more information on the Psychiatric NP program, contact Dr. Kathy Tusaie at 330-972-7561 or ktusaie@uakron.edu. All graduate nursing students complete core courses in theory, information management, health policy issues, pathophysiology and research. Psychiatric mental health students complete specialty courses in advanced mental health assessment, differential diagnosis, psychopharmacology, medication management and psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. Clinical management issues are considered within the context of providing health care services to under-served and high-risk psychiatric populations. Emphasis is placed on making independent and interdependent decisions in managing client care and on developing skill in planning, coordinating and evaluating intervention programs. Individuals prepared for advanced practice in psychiatric mental health nursing integrate knowledge of education, research, consultation and advanced clinical practice in collaboration with other health care professionals to influence health policy and client outcomes. Clinical experiences allow students to focus on individualized learning goals and prepare them for a career in a variety of mental health settings.

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