The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Loma Linda University School of Nursing prepares registered nurses for a meaningful and advanced career in mental health care. Rooted in the University’s commitment to whole-person care, the program integrates mental, physical, and spiritual health to support individuals across the lifespan.

Through a comprehensive curriculum in advanced psychiatric nursing, students develop the skills to use both psychopharmacological and holistic approaches in treating a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, suicidality, and psychosis. PMHNPs are trained to collaborate with psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals to assess and manage the mental health needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Graduates are prepared for advanced clinical practice, delivering compassionate, evidence-based care that supports long-term mental wellness and improves quality of life.

The Psych Mental Health NP program prepares nurses to enhance mental well-being with whole-person care.

Admissions Deadlines

The School of Nursing accepts Nurse Practitioner students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline.  Deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September)  
  • Winter – October 1 (quarter begins in January)

Admissions Requirements

Education

  • Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.

Academic Performance

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.

Licensure

  • Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
  • California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.

Experience

  • Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).

Certification

  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.

Recommendations

Two electronic recommendations following:

  • Required: Recent nurse manager or director
  • Additional may be either of the following:
    • Nursing peer
    • Spiritual advisor

Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee)

  • Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.

Application Fee (NursingCAS and Secondary Application)

There are two fees associated with the application:

  • $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

Transcript Requirements

NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.

Possible Careers

PMHNP's are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including:

  • Private Practice – Outpatient mental health care and medication management
  • Hospitals & Inpatient Psychiatry – Acute psychiatric treatment
  • Community Mental Health Clinics – Serving underserved populations
  • Primary Care Integration – Addressing mental health in primary care settings
  • Addiction & Recovery Centers – Treating substance use and co-occurring disorders
  • Telepsychiatry – Providing virtual psychiatric care
  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – Supporting youth mental health
  • Geriatric Psychiatry – Caring for older adults with mental health needs
  • Veterans & Military Settings – Managing PTSD and trauma-related conditions
  • Correctional Facilities – Psychiatric care within justice systems
  • Nursing Education – Teaching in academic or clinical settings
  • Mental Health Program Leadership – Managing clinical teams or services
  • Policy & Advocacy – Shaping mental health policy and access

Course Structure/Format

Take charge of your learning with Loma Linda’s Hyperflex model. Enjoy the freedom of online learning—without sacrificing the in-person experiences that make you a confident, practice-ready nurse practitioner. Study remotely when life demands it, then join us on campus to refine the hands-on clinical skills that set Loma Linda graduates apart.

All DNP programs are offered in our Hyperflex format, blending online instruction with scheduled live sessions for real-time connection and collaboration. During each 11-week quarter, you can attend in person or online for select core courses—usually around mid-quarter (week 5).

View a sample schedule ›

Face-to-Face Course Structure

Our Hyperflex model combines the convenience of online learning with the irreplaceable value of face-to-face clinical mastery. Clinical/Lab/Simulation courses will be hybrid to allow students to have hands-on practice, preparing them for their clinical practice setting.  Schedules will be provided to students for required meetings during the quarter in advance.  This allows you to refine your practical expertise in person and graduate with exceptional skills that set you apart from other Advanced Practice Nurses.

NGRD 624 Advanced Health Assessment 4u
This course has mandatory synchronous lab meetings 4-6 meetings during the quarter. The schedule will be given in advance for planning.

All clinical and practicum courses

  1. Direct Clinical Hours: 630-750 hours, depending on the specialty.
    Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations within Southern California (within a 90 mile radius of Loma Linda).
  2. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace, allowing students to collect evidence-based research data.

Sample Schedule
Full-time: 3 years, 9 months (15 academic quarters).
Part-time options are available.

Accreditations

Loma Linda University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The BS, MS, and DNP Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Advanced practice nurse graduates, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), are certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, as appropriate for the area of professional practice.The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.

Our programs address and meet outcome expectations as articulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s (AACN), and DNP Essentials.

Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

Curriculum Plan & Sample Schedule

Curriculum Plan for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Sample Schedule for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration

 

Psychiatric Mental Health (BS to DNP) — (full-time)
Loma Linda University - School of Nursing

Hyperflex Model: Most courses are remote. Blue-highlighted courses require on-campus sessions.
 

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions. We are here ready to help you.
This sample matrix is for illustration only. For the official course list and schedule, please refer to the Loma Linda University Catalog.

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