BSN to PMHNP Programs Online: Comparing Top Schools
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NursingNursing Ed.Becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) has never been more convenient for working nurses. If you have your BSN, this guide breaks down how online BSN to PMHNP programs work, shows the steps to certification, and answers to your most pressing questions about cost, accreditation, and more.
Earning your psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) credential at the MSN or DNP level is more accessible than ever, thanks to high-quality BSN to PMHNP online programs. Designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses, these programs combine rigorous academics with supervised clinical training to prepare graduates for NP licensure and advanced practice in mental health care.
If you’re considering this next step, it’s important to understand what the process involves. This guide helps you navigate:
- Degree options (MSN vs. DNP) and how they differ
- Online and hybrid program formats, including clinical requirements
- Licensure and certification steps for PMHNP practice
- Admission standards and timelines
- What to look for in a high-quality program
With the right information, you can confidently begin your search and move toward a rewarding career in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
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Inside Look at BSN to PMHNP Online Programs
There’s no shortage of BSN to PMHNP online programs to choose from, but narrowing down the right one can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure what matters most. Begin your search by reviewing examples of high-quality programs that offer strong academics, solid clinical support, and proven preparation for certification and licensure.
Bradley University
Bradley University offers a couple of BSN to PMHNP online options. Students can opt for a 51-credit, eight-semester BSN to MSN PMHNP that can be completed in under three years. You can also choose to pursue a DNP through Bradley’s 74-credit, 11-semester BSN to DNP PMHNP, which takes about four years to complete.
Regardless of which track you choose, expect a well-rounded curriculum designed to prepare you to work with a diverse range of mental health conditions across a variety of healthcare settings. Bradley’s curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, collaborative approaches to care, and relationship-building skills.
The program is 100% online and great for students with busy schedules filled with job and family responsibilities. Each course is taught by well-rounded, experienced clinicians who have worked in academic, clinical, and non-clinical settings.
Marymount University
The Online BSN to DNP PMHNP from Marymount University is an excellent option for students wanting to pursue a BSN to PMHNP online program while still building in-person relationships with peers and instructors.
At Marymount, 100% of the coursework is online, but part of your residency takes place on campus at at the university’s Washington DC location. This offers the convenience and flexibility of online learning alongside the social and networking benefits of in-person interaction.
The BSN to PMHNP online DNP at Marymount focuses heavily on in-person learning. This 66-credit program requires at least 1,250 clinical hours, some of which are completed during your on-campus residency. For the rest of those hours, Marymount helps coordinate with a local provider who can serve as your preceptor.
During your studies, you develop strong leadership skills, organizational knowledge, and the practical skills required to provide compassionate, individualized care to patients.
Western Governors University (WGU)
Western Governors University (WGU) stands out for its unique, self-paced curriculum. At WGU, BSN to MSN PMHNP students complete courses one at a time. There are no deadlines, and you can take your final exams whenever you feel ready. This model offers a ton of flexibility for working students.
Notably, too, WGU charges a flat $6,725 fee that covers as many classes as you can complete during a six-month term instead of charging per credit. This means that motivated, full-time students can save significantly on their degree costs if they work efficiently.
On average, BSN to PMHNP online students take about two and a half years to complete their studies. This includes 650 hours of clinical internship that can be completed in a clinical setting in your area, and WGU provides logistical support to help its students arrange suitable clinical sites.
The support WGU offers students doesn’t end after graduation, either, since WGU maintains a robust alumni networking program designed to help connect graduates with career opportunities.
BSN to MSN vs. BSN to DNP: Comparing PMHNP Degree Paths
When you decide to become a PMHNP, you get to choose your own adventure. Depending on your goals and background, you might opt to earn an MSN or DNP. Programs at both levels offer psychiatric-mental health nursing concentrations, and you can pursue either track after earning your BSN. There are pros and cons for each option, which we break down below.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary widely from school to school. In some cases, those requirements are the same for MSN and DNP programs. Broadly speaking, however, DNP programs are more selective in terms of GPA, work experience, and recommendations.
Also note that licensing may be a factor to consider. Most MSN and DNP programs require that applicants have current RN licenses. However, some MSN programs offer options for students who have yet to earn their licenses. Typically, DNP programs do not accept unlicensed students under any circumstances.
Career & Earning Potential
One of the major differences between MSN and DNP programs is the career and earning potential. MSN nurses typically focus on providing primary care services in various healthcare settings. So, as an MSN PMHNP, you’d likely collaborate with patients and doctors to diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans.
As a DNP, you’re more prepared to take on leadership roles and might find yourself stepping into management or teaching positions after graduation. With that greater responsibility comes greater pay. Across all nursing fields, DNP nurses earn an average of $102,000 annually, while MSN nurses average $93,000.
Curriculum
There is some overlap between MSN and DNP nursing curriculums, especially within the PMHNP specialty. In either track, expect to develop advanced practice nursing skills.
MSN and DNP programs may prepare you for different types of careers. For example, MSN programs focus more heavily on diagnosis and treatment while DNP programs incorporate more broad topics like evidence-based practice or health policy.
Funding & Cost
This is a tricky one to unpack since there are so many variables at play affecting the cost of your degree and financial aid availability. At the most basic level, graduate nursing credits generally cost the same for MSN and DNP students.
But since DNP programs require more credits, they end up costing more. Also, because MSN programs are shorter and less expensive overall, financial aid, grants, and employer tuition reimbursement get you a lot further. However, DNP students have greater access to fellowships, assistantships, and grants.
Start by setting a budget and focusing your research on MSN or DNP programs that are both affordable and high quality. Fortunately, there are plenty of online BSN to PMHNP programs that meet that criteria.
Length
No matter how you slice it, DNP degrees take significantly longer than MSNs. With a BSN in hand and studying full-time, expect to spend about two years earning your MSN. For a DNP, expect to spend four years completing coursework and clinicals.
Also note that while many MSN programs are designed with working nurses in mind, most DNP programs expect nurses to commit more time to studying.
Practical Training
Regardless of the track you choose, expect to spend a significant portion of your program completing clinical hours to gain hands-on experience. Typically, DNP programs require more clinical hours than MSN programs, but depending on your clinical location and its needs, you may have more opportunities to explore different roles as a DNP student.
Becoming a PMHNP: Steps to Certification & Licensure Requirements
Earning a PMHNP degree takes work, and graduation doesn’t mean an end to your studies. There are a few more boxes to check before you can work as a PMHNP. As you consider timing and logistics for your future career, keep these three mandatory post-graduation hurdles in mind.
Step 1: Pursue National Board Certification
As part of applying for your state APRN license, you need to take the PMHNP exam and certify as a nurse practitioner with either the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These national nursing boards verify future PMHNPs’ education records and administer the rigorous PMHNP exam that demonstrates your competency in all aspects of psychiatric-mental health care.
Because the PMHNP exam is both difficult and extremely important, start studying early. Your graduate coursework should prepare you well for this final challenge, but it’s important to take advantage of university exam prep resources, practice tests, and any other study materials to help you get ready.
Step 2: Earn Your APRN State Licensure
Without an APRN license, you cannot work as a PMHNP. So, as soon as possible after graduation, earn your APRN license by applying through your state’s nursing board. This process varies from state to state, but the basic requirements include having an RN license, graduating from an accredited NP program, and gaining national board certification.
Become familiar with your state’s licensure requirements before you research programs. Your state board likely has a list of approved programs, a minimum number of clinical hours required, and other helpful information. With these requirements in mind, you can select a program that covers all your bases.
Expert Insight
As a nurse practitioner, you’ll need both an APRN license and a specialty certificate before you can practice. The license permits you to practice in an advanced role beyond basic nursing care. This proves you have competence in skills like diagnosing illness and prescribing medication. Your certificate, however, proves that you are competent in providing care to a specific population, such as patients with psychiatric-mental health conditions.
Step 3: Enter the Workforce or Consider a Residency/Fellowship
Once you earn your APRN license, you can start applying for jobs. PHMNPs work in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, and community health centers. Many clinical sites hire students after graduation, allowing you to smoothly transition into full-time work in the same place you completed your clinical requirements.
If you struggle to pass your PMHNP exam or feel like you aren’t ready for full-time work, consider applying to residency programs. These programs are typically paid, full-time positions with a fixed duration.
In general, residency programs offer more opportunities for training and mentorship. Many are open to PMHNP program graduates working toward their APRN licensure.
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FAQs on BSN to PMHNP Programs Online
If you’ve made it this far and still have questions, that’s okay. There’s a lot to cover when it comes to pursuing your BSN to PMHNP online. Before you start searching for programs, consider the answers to a few common questions many prospective PMHNP students have about online BSN to PMHNP programs.
Are there PMHNP certificate programs in addition to degree programs?
Yes, some schools award PMHNP certificates not associated with a degree, for example, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. However, these programs are generally only available to current graduate students, or nurses with a master’s or doctoral degree.
For example, nurses who earned an MSN in another NP specialty, such as women’s health, who want to provide psychiatric-mental health care to diversify their credentials do not need to earn another master’s degree. They only need to earn a PMHNP certificate.
Are online PMHNP programs accredited and why does it matter?
Yes, many online PMHNP programs are accredited. Accreditation matters because it ensures that you’re attending a reputable program that will prepare you for licensure and hold weight with future employers. Besides the peace of mind that comes with attending an accredited program, many state nursing boards will not consider you for licensure if your program is not accredited.
Schools should be accredited by a regional or national accrediting body and the school’s nursing program should be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
How can I determine which online PMHNP programs are best?
The best online PMHNP program for you should match your goals, learning style, and budget. Before you start researching, ask yourself these questions:
- How much time do I have available to study?
- Do I prefer fully online or in-person classes?
- How do I want to complete my clinical rotations?
- How do I plan to pay for my degree?
If you’re trying to squeeze your degree in between work and family obligations, you might focus on part-time programs or those with flexible scheduling. If you want to attend some classes in person, hybrid programs that are close to home might be best.
Is there anything an FNP can do that a PMHNP cannot?
Yes. Family NPs can treat a wide range of physical ailments across the lifespan. This includes illnesses among newborns and infants. Psychiatric-mental health NPs, however, focus their attention on patients with mental health conditions.
FNPs may treat patients with some mental illnesses, but their scope of practice in this area is not as broad as that of an PMHNP. Despite these differences, family nurse practitioners and PMHNPs share many responsibilities, including diagnosing illness, prescribing medication, and ordering diagnostic tests.
What is the salary of the average psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Nationwide, the average base salary for PMHNPs is about $135,000, and top-earners can make upwards of $200,000 per year. However, average earnings can vary significantly depending on your location and experience level. Get a feel for the post-graduation earnings potential in your area by scoping out local job postings.
Expert Insight
Just like RN salary, nurse practitioner salary can vary greatly based on a number of things. Typically, outpatient positions pay less than hospital roles, but if you work for yourself, it’s possible you’ll make more. If you choose to teach NP students as an academic educator, private colleges will probably pay you more than public ones. Also consider that some employers may pay lower salaries, but they offer excellent employee benefits like health insurance.
What is the shortest PMHNP program available online?
One school’s program can be just as short as another. It depends on many factors. The shortest online PMHNP programs are certificate programs designed for students who already have a graduate nursing degree.
For example, if you already have your MSN and only need a PMHNP certificate, you can finish in less than a year. If efficiency is your top priority, focus on accelerated NP programs. These programs are more intense but get you your degree much quicker.
