Top PMHNP Programs in Florida

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are specialty nurse practitioners who treat mental health disorders. You can join this rewarding and lucrative career in Florida by attending one of nine excellent accredited programs. This guide explores the three best PMHNP programs and two top post-graduate certificate programs in Florida, including accreditation, tuition, and more.  

How to Become a PMHNP in Florida

You can become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Florida by completing the following steps:

1. Attend an accredited BSN program
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN
3. Gain relevant experience, typically in psychiatric nursing
4. Get accepted at an accredited PMHNP program
5. Complete 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours through the program
6. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to apply to the Florida Board of Registered Nursing for certification as a nurse practitioner
7. Next, apply  to take the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner exam administered by the American Nursing Credentialing Center
8. Upon passing, you will earn your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

If you already have an NP degree, you can attend a post-graduate PMHNP certificate program instead of earning a separate degree.

 

Top PMHNP Programs in Florida

The best PMHNP programs are organized based on our ranking methodology, which considers tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation. We also evaluate programs based on the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.

 

Top Post-Graduate Certificate Programs in Florida

 

Florida PMHNP Program Admission Requirements 

Admission requirements to Florida PMHNP programs vary depending on the school and degree path. General admission requirements for all PMHNP programs include the following:

• A BSN from an accredited program
• A BSN GPA of at least 3.0
• Unencumbered RN license
• A basic statistics grade of 2.0 or better
• One year of relevant bedside nursing experience
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Personal statement
• CV/Resume
• Official application and fee
• Personal interview
• GRE scores, if applicable
• TOEFL score, if applicable

 

How Hard Are PMHNP Programs in Florida?

PMHNP programs, in Florida or elsewhere, are challenging and require a significant amount of time and money. Students should expect to devote at least two to three years toward earning their degree. Coursework may be difficult and often involves a lot of time to prepare, study, and complete clinicals. 

Full-time PMHNP students likely won't have enough time for another job, and their family and social time may become more restricted. Considering these factors will help you understand whether a PMHNP program in Florida is right for your nursing career.

There are a couple of schools in Florida that offer postgraduate certificates in psychiatric mental health if you’re not looking to enroll in a full degree program. These certificate programs are faster and cost less than traditional degree programs. One program only requires attendance one day a week for five semesters, for example. This would be a good option for students who can’t commit to a full-time program.

 

How Long Are PMHNP Programs in Florida?

The length of a PMHNP program depends on the degree. Most students can earn an MSN in just two years, while DNP programs take three to four years. 

Some schools also offer part-time options, allowing students up to six years to complete all requirements.  Part-time attendance is ideal for students who must work while attending the program or those with family obligations.

No matter the length, you can expect a Florida PMHNP program to first consist of in-person or online instructional coursework. Clinicals correspond directly with the classwork, and students generally complete them toward the end of the program.

 

What to Expect Working as a PMHNP in Florida

PMHNP Salary in Florida

The average annual salary for a PMHNP in Florida is $105,452 or $51 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter.

Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the career outlook for NPs is excellent. Over the next decade, the BLS predicts employment for NPs will grow by 40% (Much faster than average).

Additionally, healthaffairs.org states that 96% of the counties in the country are suffering from a mental health professional shortage. With the ongoing rise of mental health disorders in the United States, which have severely increased since the pandemic, the demand for PMHNPs will only grow.

 

Where Can You Work? PMHNP Jobs in Florida

PMHNPs can work in a variety of locations throughout Florida. These include: 

• Academia
• Community Mental Health Centers (urban and rural)
• Consulting with businesses and communities
• Correctional Facilities
• Domestic Violence Shelters
• Government Agency
• Home Health Agencies
• Hospitals
• Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities
• Primary Healthcare Clinics
• Private Psychiatric Practices
• Psychopharmacology Clinic
• Psychiatric Consult Services
• Public health agencies
• Residential Substance Abuse Facilities
• Schools
• State Psychiatric Facilities
• Student Health Clinics
• Urban Nurse-Managed Clinic
• Veterans Administration Psychiatric Facilities

 

Next Steps for Becoming a PMHNP in Florida

Becoming a PMHNP is rewarding because you can make a significant difference in your patients' lives. 

The first step for becoming a PMHNP in Florida is finding a program that suits your needs. The programs on this list are all excellent options. To choose one, you should consider several factors. Ask yourself:

• Do I want an MSN or a DNP degree?
• Will I attend full or part-time?
• Do I need online options? If the program is online, does my state allow Florida licensing for APRNs?
• What is my tuition budget?
• Am I eligible for financial aid?
• Is the program nearby, or am I willing to relocate?
• Can I meet any travel requirements for the clinical sites?
• Do I meet the admission requirements? Can I complete them by the application deadline?

If you have more questions, try contacting the program representative. Talking to a point of contact can also help your application become noticed while addressing your concerns.

Depending on the program, you may also have to acquire a preceptor and a clinical site. If your school doesn’t assign these, you should begin the search early, as the process can take time.

 

FAQs 

• How Many PMHNP Schools are in Florida?
  • There are currently nine PMHNP programs in Florida.
• How Much Does PMHNP School Cost in Florida?
  • Nurse practitioner programs, including PMHNP schools in Florida, range in price from $13,000 to $40,000. However, if you’re only looking to get a postgraduate certificate in psychiatric mental health, you’ll find tuition will range from $5,600 to $11,000.
• How Many PMHNPs are in Florida?
  • While there isn’t a count of exactly how many PMHNPs are in Florida, the BLS reports that there are 24,690 nurse practitioners in Florida.