Nursing Archives - Carlow University

Matthews-Hayes, Tina

As a Carlow student, Tina received the education and self confidence to excel in the role of a nurse practitioner. She hopes to share her knowledge and experience of 15 … Continued

Ranft, Emma

Emma is a faculty member in the Practical Nurse Certificate Program. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree specializing in Nursing Education in March of 2024 from Capella … Continued

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Nursing Programs

As a graduate nursing department, we prepare exceptionally skilled providers, leaders and educators in doctoral, masters, and certificate tracks to meet the healthcare and health promotion needs of populations. Nursing graduate students have experiences with people nationally and internationally via didactic, clinical and study abroad opportunities. The School of Nursing educates practitioners of tomorrow and encourages a passion for evidenced-based practice, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in the spirit of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.

We offer study in a hybrid face-to-face modality that incorporates twice monthly evening classes with online coursework to fit the needs of today’s full-time working nurse, while affording opportunities for 1:1 faculty engagement, and peer group networking and support.

A fully online program is also available, for students out of the Pittsburgh region, and/or for those desiring a non-synchronous education program.

View the School of Nursing’s program outcomes and accreditation information.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The high demand for qualified psychiatric nurse practitioners stems in large part from the increased normalization of mental health issues.

MASTERS programs

doctorate programs

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

$2.6M

in scholarships awarded every year to IMPACT FNP graduate students

competitive scholarships available to support the inaugural cohort of PMHNP MSN students.

200+

medical practices and clinics students can practice at facilitated by the Director of Clinical Education

Faculty & staff

Nursing, like all other health care professions, does not exist in isolation. Advanced practice nursing education must integrate other aspects of our humanity if the profession is going to truly do what it pledges to do from the outset of a nurse’s oath. A commitment to justice and mercy requires critical thinking and self-reflection. Carlow University has a rich tradition of service and a mission that flows from the Mercy Core Values. These values: Hospitality, Service, Discovery, and Sacredness of Creation, are embraced within a framework of reflective practice. We recognize that no single discipline can fully educate today’s advanced practice providers who care for families across the lifespan. We are a uniquely positioned university with the ability to fully utilize our colleagues in theology, art, pharmacology, biology, creative writing, and communications to guide discovery within our students. We are not only these disciplines, but more, together, each contributing to the development of a critically thinking, ethical, and merciful human being who will go into the community transformed, and ready to lead.

Alison Bauer, DNP, FNP-C Assistant Professor

Ruth Madden Foreman DNP, FNP-BC, CRNP, RN, CNE Associate Professor

Renee Ingel PhD, MSN, RN Professor

Susan Mihaljevic, DNP, CRNP-PC Associate Professor

Deborah Lynn Mitchum DNP, ANP-C, WHNP Chair of Department of Graduate Nursing

Bernadette Sherman DNP, FNP-C, CRNP, GS-C Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor

Ann Spence, DNP, RN, NEA-BC Associate Professor

Kathleen Tennant Professor

Department Points of Pride

On June 26^th, 2023, Carlow University received over $2.6 million to increase the number of Family Nurse Practitioner graduates educated to provide primary care services, with advanced education in mental health, substance use disorders, and women’s and maternal health care. The Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant – funded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is aimed at increasing access to primary care providers for those living in medically underserved communities. The goal of the grant is to make a BIG IMPACT on students, preceptors, and the underserved population through “Impacting Diversity and Education of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses for Healthy Communities”. Current full time FNP students are eligible to apply for up to $23,000 in tuition reimbursement.
HRSA Nursing Faculty Loan Program to repay 85% of tuition costs with post-graduate employment in the role of nursing educator.
97% AANP & 100% ANCC certification exam pass rate for FNPs
“Very Strong” NCC certification exam pass rate for WHNPs
In 2023, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Carlow University established a one-year pilot program, funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), to develop clinically sound evidence-based practicing NPs. FNP graduates have a year of residency (transition to primary care) after completion of an educational program at Carlow University.
Carlow Graduate Nursing Department is a CEU provider through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) for professional development training for preceptors, clinical faculty, and students.

Myers, Maggie

Maggie is a member of the nursing faculty. She teaches the sophomore level courses and clinical for the juniors. She has been at Carlow since 2023. She serves as a … Continued

Devoted to Caring for the Mental and Emotional Needs of All Patients

Carlow University’s Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (PMHNP) is for ethical healthcare professionals working professional nurses seeking to create a better healthcare system by contributing to fair and just mental health care – and all healthcare – for everyone.

Designed for working professional nurses is another distinguishing factor for our NP programs.

With more than 26 million individuals with a mental illness going untreated, our nation is in dire need of compassionate, ethical mental health leaders. Carlow’s PMHNP program is for students devoted to providing specialized assessment and treatment for a full range of mental health disorders, including counseling and medication management. Within this program, it is possible to specialize in certain types of patients, such as children, families, or those with substance abuse problems.

Credits Required:

19 courses for the MSN
14 courses for the Post MSN
9 courses for the Post MSN NP

Cost Per Credit:

$918

Time to Degree:

As few as 28 months

Delivery:

100% online

PMHNP Curriculum

The greater demand for PMHNPs coincides with a dramatic increase in reported cases of depression and anxiety, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that get the treatment they need remains a key concern. With such an unmet need for service providers in this specialty to care for existing patients and help new ones, the demand for more nurses to pursue this specialty will likely only grow.

MSN PMHNP Plan of Study

POST MSN PMHNP Plan of Study

Quick Facts

The ideal student is a nurse with compassion, sensitivity, and exceptional communication and relationship-building skills. It requires someone who can be objective and empathetic who understands that a person isn’t defined by their mental health condition.
Graduates of Carlow’s nursing programs are prepared to be innovative, caring, compassionate, ethical members of a healthcare team. The opportunity for interdisciplinary education with psychology and social work peers is a distinct advantage.
Carlow has 75 years of experience in educating nurses and the nurse practitioner programs have had 97-100% pass rates for certification boards over the past eight years.

Carlow offers certification for nurses who already possess an MSN in another field of study.
Upon completion of the degree or certification, the graduate can sit for a national certification exam, and upon passing, is given a professional, advanced practice license by the state board.
Each state has a different licensing board, but they all require and accept the national certification. We utilize a board review course in the student’s final semester to help them successfully prepare and pass the certification exam.

75 Years of Nursing Excellence

For 75 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.

Alternate Degree Completion Options

Online Degree

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Accelerated

Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count towards both degrees. Apply for this option after your sophomore year.