Frequently Asked Questions - MSN Program

In the PMHNP program, how many hours do I need in each setting?

The answer depends on the semester. Below is a breakdown of the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Fall Semester

NURS 5463/5473 Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum I/ Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum I Clinical – 192 hours

The 192 clinical hours required for this course are segmented in the following ways:

  • 80 hours- Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in adults.
  • 44 hours – Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in child and adolescents.
  • 44 hours – Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in Geriatric patients.
  • 16 hours – Individual, Group or Family Therapy
  • 8 hours  – Addiction

Spring Semester

NURS 5483/5493 Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum II/Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum II Clinical - 192 clinical hours

The 192 Clinical hours required for this course are segmented in the following ways:

  • 80 hours – Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in adults.
  • 44 hours – Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in child and adolescents.
  • 44 hours – Assessment and Medical Management of Acute and Chronic PMH issues in Geriatric patients.
  • 16 hours – Individual, Group or Family Therapy
  • 8 hours  – Addiction

Summer Semester

NURS 5523/5533 – Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum III/Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practicum III Clinical - 192 clinical hours

Clinical Expectations and Information

The 192 Clinical hours required for this course are segmented in the following ways:

  • 104 hours – Assessment and Management of Acute and chronic PMH issues in adults
  • 40 hours – Assessment and Management of Acute and chronic PMH issues in Geriatric persons
  • 40 hours  - Assessment and Management of Acute and chronic PMH issues in Child and Adolescent
  • 8 hours – Therapy (can be individual group, family or addiction)

In the FNP program, how many specialty clinical hours do I need to complete?

In both the Spring and Summer practicum courses, 256 clinical hours will be completed. The majority of clinical hours will need to be completed in a Family Practice Clinical Site. Urgent Care, ER, and Specialty clinic hours will be considered for a small percentage of your clinicals only and are not considered part of the Family Practice Clinical Site hours.

  • Health Promotion/Maintenance/Teaching - 10%
  • Counseling/Psychiatric Management - 5%
  • Women's Health- 10%
  • Pediatric Medical Management - 15%
  • Adult Medical Management - 40%
  • Geriatric Medical Management- 20%

Do I have to come to campus for classes?

You will come to campus for Immersions mainly during clinical hours.

How do I know if I can use a preceptor?

  • All preceptors must be approved through your Clinical Coordinator. The preceptor must complete the Preceptor form.
  • An Affiliation Agreement must be in place prior to clinical hours. The agreement process can take up to six weeks, so please be sure to to submit the form during the semester prior to the semester you will be at that clinical site.

Who approves my preceptors and hours?

  • Dr. Kim Mercer is the Clinical Coordinator for the PMHNP program. She approves all PMHNP students' preceptors.
  • Dr. Brent Wetendorf is the Clinical Coordinator for the FNP program. He approves all FNP students' preceptors
  • Clinical hours are approved by the students' clinical faculty.

What should I wear to my clinicals?

  • Course syllabi provide information about uniform requirements for clinical experiences. If no uniform is specified, the student should dress in a professional manner appropriate to the clinical setting and wear a name tag designating him/her as an MSU Texas graduate nursing student.
  • Texas law requires photo ID for students in hospital clinical environments. It is the student's responsibility to know the ID and orientation requirements of each institution prior to any clinical rotation.
  • Standardized name tags are available from BJD Engraving located at 2515 10th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas. Their number is (940) 322-1014. It is the student's responsibility to order the name tag and provide payment. Name tags can be ordered over the phone and mailed to the student. Information on the name tag will include:
    • First name Last name, credentials (BSN, RN) or (MSN, RN)
    • Student status: FNP Student or PMHNP student