Does Vanderbilt School of Nursing offer a combined program to obtain both a PMHNP and an FNP title?
The Vanderbilt PMHNP program prepares graduates to diagnose and treat common psychiatric disorders (including prescriptive practice and psychotherapy), as well as perform screening historical and physical exams to diagnose/identify major medical problems. However, PMHNPs are not prepared to treat and prescribe for primary care (medical) problems, patients are referred for treatment. For students who want to treat primary care problems, a Post-Master’s degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Nurse Practitioner program can be completed over another year (3 semesters) of approximately 21 credit hours. The School of Nursing has seen increasing enrollment of Family Nurse Practitioners who are returning for a post-master’s degree in PMHNP. This option particularly appeals to those who have worked in Community Mental Health Centers for their prescriptive role and have recognized their limited knowledge/preparation to work with this psychiatric population.
