By Austin Leonard
In 2019, Tennessee was ranked 45th and Virginia 40th in the number of mental health providers available (America’s Health Rankings, 2019). The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program is a new concentration added to the pre-existing Master of Science in Nursing and post-APRN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, certificate programs within King’s School of Nursing. The program was designed to be delivered through online methods, and King’s unique location on the TN/VA line allows it to reach into both states as well as into surrounding areas. The main goal of the program is to give students the skills and qualifications to help fill the demand for mental health services in the area.
According to Dr. Tracy Slemp, Dean of the School of Nursing, “Graduates of the program will be able to treat patients with psychiatric and mental health disorders across the lifespan [and will] acquire knowledge to promote optimal mental health by assessing, diagnosing and managing mental health and psychiatric disorders in a variety of settings.”
As demand for mental health services rises, the need for providers is ever more important. The PMHNP program hopes to help introduce a new wave of qualified psychiatric and mental health professionals for this purpose.
The program is currently accepting applicants for the Spring 2022 cohort. Any student who is interested in psychiatric care and expanding their practice and career opportunities can reach out to Natalie Blankenship (Enrollment Counselor, nblankenship@king.edu), Mrs. Cathy Maine (PMHNP Program Coordinator, clmaine@king.edu), or Dr. Tracy Slemp (Dean of the School of Nursing, tjslemp@king.edu) for more information.
To learn more about the nursing program at King University, visit https://www.king.edu/academics/schools-and-institutes/school-of-nursing/.
