Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs in California - CA

By Susan Maphis, allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 15 2011

As stated by the California Department of Mental Health, more than five percent of the total population of California needs mental health services. This includes over seven percent of youth ages 0-17, and over four percent of adults. This growing need is one reason many registered nurses who already possess undergraduate degrees are entering psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in California. Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners (abbreviated PMHNP) can fulfill many of the same roles traditionally reserved for psychiatrists and other mental health service providers.

Programs designed to train registered nurses to become PMHNPs can be found online and in colleges and universities throughout California. Many programs have varying focuses, including the mental health of adults, of families, and of children, while others are more general in focus.

Preparatory courses include mental health assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy techniques, pharmacology, and health risks of the mentally ill. In addition, students in a PMHNP preparatory program must also fulfill clinical requirements that vary from one program to the next. These experiences take place at general and psychiatric facilities in California, such as Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco; Aurora Behavioral Healthcare in Covina, San Diego, Pasadena and Ventura; Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno; Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center in Culver City; L.A. County & USC Medical Center in Los Angeles; Saint Joseph’s Behavioral Health Center in Stockton and Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

Psychiatric Nurse Schools in California

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University of Phoenix

[Campus]

Locations:

• Bakersfield
• Diamond Bar
• Elk Grove
• Fairfield
• Gardena
• Los Angeles
• Lancaster
• Lathrop
• Livermore
• Salida
• Murrieta
• Oakland
• Ontario
• Palm Desert
• Pasadena
• Rancho Cordova
• Roseville
• San Francisco
• Woodland Hills
• Sacramento
• Costa Mesa
• San Jose
• Fresno

Programs:

• MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Nursing (RN Required)
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Quick Summary: At University of Phoenix, we believe everyone deserves access to higher education.

Carrington College

[Campus]

Locations:

• Reno

Programs:

• Registered Nursing

Quick Summary:

Ready for a rewarding career in healthcare? Carrington College™ can help.

West Coast University

[Campus]

Locations:

• Anaheim

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN
• RN to BSN

Quick Summary: West Coast University can help prepare you for a rewarding health care career.

California College San Diego

[Campus]

Locations:

• National City
• San Marcos
• San Diego

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration

Quick Summary: California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Career Colleges of America

[Campus]

Locations:

• Gardena
• South Gate

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant

Quick Summary: Get your career started with Career Colleges of America.