NEW Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) Program
The first course, NURS 609: Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Theory will be offered in the Fall 2008 semester (Fall 2008 Course Schedule
About the FieldA family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is able to provide children and adults with primary mental healthcare, including the diagnosis of mental illness, medication management and family and group therapy, as well as mental health promotion. They provide mental healthcare to families in a number of settings, including clinics, physician offices, shelters and other areas. Graduates will be eligible for national certification. The College of Nursing at SUNY Upstate has been offering clinically-oriented, advanced education for RNs for 30 years. A message from the DeanI am pleased to announce that the College of Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University is responding to a critical health care need by offering a Nurse Practitioner program in Family Psychiatric Mental Health. Upstate Medical University and Stony Brook (Long Island) are the only two SUNY schools offering the specific FPMH-NP program of study. Nationally, we face a crises in mental health care—and this situation is reflected in New York state as well. At any given time one in 10 adults experiences some form of depression. Additionally, one in ten children and adolescents experience mental health problems, but only 20% of those in need receive services. The problem is acute in Central New York where only seven of the 50 mental health clinics treat children. There is also a shortage of psychiatrists in this region. The Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse practitioners who graduate from our program will be able to address these issues and many more. They will be equipped to care for the patient population of their choice in a wide range of health care settings. While most FPMH-NPs work in community settings, they are also able to run their own practice. The job market is exceptionally strong for these professionals, and currently the mental health NP is one of the most sought after nursing specialties. |
PhD, RN, Dean, College of Nursing Office of Student Admissions 1215 Weiskotten Hall SUNY Upstate Medical University admiss@upstate.edu 315 464-4570 or 800 736-2171
News and Updates
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The Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) track in our Master’s Program has been approved by both SUNY and the New York State Education Department.