Certified FNP to Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program

Admission Requirements

The student must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

1. Earned Master of Science (MS in Nursing or MSN) or higher degree (e.g. a DNP degree) and/or certificate program from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized accrediting body for nursing education.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from a Master of Science degree program (MS in Nursing or MSN) or higher degree.
3. English Proficiency Exams: The SON FNP to PMHNP Cert Program adheres to the ISU Graduate School policy for those students who  have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States (at the undergraduate and/or graduate level) and whose native language is not English.
4. Completed application by January 15th. Applications submitted after January 15th will be accepted on a rolling bases until class is filled. 
5. Verification of valid and current unencumbered Registered Nurse licence and Family Nurse Practitioner licence.
6. Valid and current Family Nurse Practitioner national certification (ANCC or AANP).
7. Minimum two (2) years of experience as a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in direct care clinical practice by the time of application.
8. Mandatory attendance at the orientation for the FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program to be held on the ISU Pocatello campus in August of the year of admission.

A preadmission interview by the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee may be required. If the applicant resides at a distance of 100 miles, an interview by video conference may be arranged.

Admission to the FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program is contingent on sufficient enrollment as defined by the SON. The School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee will make the final recommendation regarding admission. This decision will be based on the evaluation of established application and admission requirements.

Online Application

Apply to Idaho State University
Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the January 15th priority deadline. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after January 15th until the class is full.

Application Requirements

The student must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

1. Submission directly to the Graduate School of official transcripts of all degrees including the completion of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN or MS in Nursing) or higher (e.g. DNP degree) and/or certificate program from an accredited nursing program. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School from the Registrar's office of the applicant's previous institution(s) of study.
2. Three professional references attesting to the applicant's FNP clinical competence. All responses are sent through the ISU Graduate School application system.
3. Submission of professional vitae or resume.
4. Proof of Family Nurse Practitioner Certification.
5. Submission of a 3-4 page professional essay. Please respond to the following in your own words:
   1. Describe the mental illnesses you have observed in your current practice
   2. Describe how the PMHNP Certificate Program will enhance your current FNP practice
   3. Describe what you hope the PMHNP Certificate Program will prepare you for as it relates to the care of mental illness.
   4. Describe problems or areas of improvement related to the psych-mental health needs in your practice described above
   5. Formatting Guidelines (use APA Format as a guide):
      1. No more than four (4) pages, double spaced.
      2. One-inch margins.
      3. Times New Roman font with 12 point size.

Selection Process for the FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program

Application for the FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program will open in September of any academic year. Preference will be given to applicants submitted by January 15th of any year. Admission is contingent on sufficient enrollment as defined by the School of Nursing. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after January 15th until class is filled. All application and admission requirements as posted on the website for the FNP to PMHNP certificate program apply. Notification of applicants selected for admission and alternates will be announced in April of any year.