Adelphi University Launches New Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Address Mental Health Provider Shortage

In response to the growing demand for mental health services across the United States, the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health is proud to announce the launch of its new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Psychiatric-Mental Health.

This innovative program will prepare advanced practice nurses to become leaders in the mental health field and address the critical shortage of mental health providers in healthcare systems nationwide.

Adelphi's DNP program provides students with the knowledge, skills and clinical expertise needed to develop comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to complex patient needs. The program empowers nurses to translate cutting-edge research into practice at the local, state and national levels, making a tangible impact on healthcare outcomes.

"According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 23.1 percent of the U.S. adult population is living with a mental illness, and it is estimated that only half of them receive treatment," noted Deborah Hunt, PhD '12, professor and Dr. Betty L. Forest Dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. "As these statistics demonstrate, there is a significant need to prepare advanced nurse practitioners at the doctoral level as advocates, leaders and scholars in the field of psychiatric and mental health nursing-and our new DNP program addresses this need."

At the Forefront of Nursing Education

Adelphi, ranked among the nation's top nursing schools by U.S. News & World Report and others, has more than 75 years of experience in preparing nurses to advance into leadership roles. The DNP program, which joins the University's comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, certificate and doctoral nursing programs, offers a hybrid format and part-time study plan, making it ideal for working professionals. With two points of entry, the program is accessible to both experienced nurses and those who are just beginning their journey in psychiatric-mental health nursing:

• The Advanced Standing DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program: For applicants who already hold a master's degree in nursing and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) national board certification.
• BS to DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program: For applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue national board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

"At Adelphi, the College of Nursing and Public Health's long-standing achievement as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence for advancing the science of nursing education has naturally extended into the creation and launch of our psychiatric mental health DNP program," said College of Nursing and Public Health Assistant Professor Lisa Marie Persad, PhD. "The DNP program faculty are strongly devoted to cultivating new generations of DNP-prepared psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to confront and transform the complex and evolving mental and behavioral health needs of today and tomorrow."

Hands-On Learning and Clinical Experience

Adelphi's DNP program is built on a foundation of hands-on learning and clinical immersion. Advanced-standing DNP students will complete 500 residency hours while they complete their DNP project. BS-to-DNP students will complete 1,000 hours of clinical experience, including 500 direct clinical hours in diverse settings such as community health clinics, specialty clinics and private practices. The clinical and residency experiences give students the opportunity to refine their clinical skills and lead DNP projects to translate evidence into practice.

Adelphi's state-of-the-art Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL) offers nursing students unparalleled opportunities to simulate real-world healthcare scenarios, using advanced manikins and simulators, and to gain experience in a simulated community health setting.

Find out more about the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Psychiatric-Mental Health.