Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs in Louisiana - LA

Psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Louisiana are designed to train registered nurses who wish to take a larger and more responsible role in treating psychological and mental health conditions in the state. If one wants to be admitted to PMHNP programs, most schools require that a student hold a registered nurse license in Louisiana and hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in nursing.

Psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are graduate programs found online and in more traditional school settings. The result of completing a PMHNP program of study is a master’s degree. For those students who already hold a master’s degree, a post-master’s certificate will be the option of choice.

PMHNP programs typically combine classroom lectures with clinical experience that takes place in a real hospital setting. Examples of medical institutions in Louisiana that may be used for practicums for PMHNP students include Ochsner Medical Center, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, CHRISTUS Schumpert Saint Mary Place, Allegiance Behavioral Health Center of Ruston, Central Louisiana State Hospital and Liberty Healthcare Systems Adult Behavioral Hospital.

Following schooling, prospective PMHNPs in Louisiana need to become nationally certified by means of examination before earning a license to work in the state. Based upon where a student’s interests lie, he or she may choose to become certified to treat adult patients with psychiatric issues, children and adolescents with mental health issues, or both.