UAMS offers online nurse practitioner specialty course
DEC. 6, 2004 | To meet a growing need for providing primary mental health care, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will offer a nurse practitioner online degree program specializing in family psychiatric and mental health.

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DEC. 6, 2004 | To meet a growing need for providing primary mental health care, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will offer a nurse practitioner online degree program specializing in family psychiatric and mental health.

 

The Master of Nursing Science degree program, in the UAMS College of Nursing, is being funded by a three-year, $640,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It will be one of the few of its kind available in the United States.

 

Applications are being accepted until Dec. 31 for classes to begin in January for the specialty program, the first of its kind in Arkansas. For an application, call 501-296-1759.

 

The family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner specialty prepares advanced practical nurses to provide care including diagnosis of mental illness, medication management, family therapy, group therapy, brief psychotherapy, play therapy, social skills training and mental health promotion.

 

“There is a drastic need in our state as Arkansas is very underserved when it comes to the number of mental health professionals,” said Victoria Grando, Ph.D., R.N., an associate professor and specialty coordinator in the UAMS College of Nursing. “This course will help meet those needs and demonstrate the continued leadership of UAMS in meeting the health care needs of Arkansas.”

 

Graduates will be able to work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, emergency rooms, shelters for vulnerable populations, psychiatric inpatient units, prisons and in private practice.

 

All theory coursework is available online and clinical practicum experiences for the program can be gained in the students’ existing community settings, meaning students won’t have to leave the communities where they work to earn this degree.

 

Grando said the course also will include elements that account for diversity of population and the special needs in rural areas. Students will learn about identifying the mental health needs of minorities and other groups.



Links on This Page
Information about the program: http://nursing.uams.edu/Masters-LS/FPMHNP-MNSc.htm

UAMS College of Nursing: http://nursing.uams.edu/

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