Salve’s new online master’s program helps address shortage of mental health practitioners
Salve is expanding its online master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program to offer a new specialization in psychiatric mental health, a comprehensive educational pathway to national certification. A post-master’s certificate for advanced practice nurses seeking to expand their services in psychiatric nursing is also now available. Courses begin this fall.
The scarcity of mental health practitioners in the U.S. has been well documented, with the Health Resources Services Administration reporting in 2023 that half of the population lives in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area.
“There are significant barriers to receiving mental health care today, resulting in lengthy wait times before a person can get care,” said Dr. Sharon Stager, Salve’s associate chair of graduate nursing programs. “Insurance companies require certification of health care providers for the provision of services and reimbursement, so this program is vitally important to serve the community and enhance patient care outcomes.”
Dr. Sharon Stager
The online format of the program addresses the needs of adult learners who often juggle significant family and career responsibilities. Rolling admission with six start dates per year enables students to begin the program quickly, without having to wait for traditional semester cycles.
The eight-course certificate program can be completed online in 20-24 months. The 15-course master’s program can be completed online in 32 months. Both require one 40-hour skills-based colloquium on Salve Regina’s campus. After completing coursework and a minimum of 750 clinical hours, students are eligible to sit for the psychiatric nurse practitioner national certification examination. Qualified graduates are also eligible to progress seamlessly into Salve’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Dr. Stager added, “As a Mercy mission-driven institution, we are deeply aligned with the need to support anyone going through a mental health crisis. Launching these programs aligns beautifully with Salve’s graduate nursing focus at this moment in time.”
