The need for mental health services in Iowa has skyrocketed in recent years. Becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is both rewarding and practical for any RN who’s passionate about mental health. Graduates of PMHNP programs in Iowa can expect to earn $144,040 annually on average and enjoy practically limitless job options as employment opportunities for these specialized APRNs are anticipated to increase by 53 percent in the next decade. As a PMHNP, you’ll be qualified to work with individuals across their lifespan in practice settings like psychiatric hospitals, community agencies, and substance abuse clinics. Want to find out more? The guide below to the 4 best PMHNP programs in Iowa will give you the inside scoop.
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online PMHNP programs in Iowa.)
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse searching for the best PMHNP programs in Iowa, the University of Iowa is certainly a school worth considering! One of the pathways the school offers is the BSN-to-DNP program. The program is available with a full-time, three-year schedule or a part-time, four-year schedule. New classes begin in the fall semester annually.
The BSN-to-DNP program features a hybrid format. Most courses are online. However, didactic nurse practitioner courses occur on-site. Campus-based classes are typically scheduled only once per week. The curriculum requires the completion of 76 semester hours. In this pathway, you will complete at least 1,000 clinical practicum hours.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Master’s-prepared nurses also have a pathway to the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty at the University of Iowa. The MSN-to-DNP program admits new students in the fall of each academic year and can be completed in two to three years, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.
This post-master’s DNP PMHNP program features a 45-semester-hour curriculum that combines both online and campus-based learning as well as in-person clinical practicum experiences. All DNP students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. A GAP analysis will determine how many credits and clinical hours from your master’s degree program may be transferred for credit.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a previous graduate degree, the Post-Graduate Certificate program offered at the University of Iowa offers an opportunity to pursue a formal education and become certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health NP. New students are admitted to the program each summer. The program can be completed in as few as four semesters.
The Post-Graduate Certificate program follows a 22-semester hour plan of study. You will begin your studies with Psychopharmacology for Advanced Clinical Practice. The curriculum also includes Psychotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Lifespan I & II, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Advanced Practice I & II, and three Advanced Practice Clinical Practicums. There are 540 hours of clinicals included in the program’s curriculum. The number of credits and clinical hours you are required to complete is subject to adjustment based on a GAP analysis of your graduate nursing transcripts and verification of clinical hours.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• In your search for a PMHNP program in Iowa, I encourage you to look for schools whose programs are highly ranked and have a good reputation for student success. For example, for four years in a row, the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa has been ranked in several categories by U.S. News & World Report!BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a registered nurse searching for a PMHNP program in Iowa? Do you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and want to earn a doctorate? If so, I suggest considering Clarke University! At Clarke University, you will find a BSN-to-DNP program with the option to specialize in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration. You can choose to enroll full-time and complete your degree in three years, or you can choose a slower pace as a part-time student and graduate in five years. The program features a flexible, hybrid format combining online coursework, eight campus visits, and clinical practicums.
The post-baccalaureate DNP program for PMHNP students features an 81-credit curriculum. Clinicals and lab time are incorporated into designated courses throughout the program. You will study in classes, including Psychopharmacology, Epidemiology, Primary Care of the Psychiatric Mental Health Patient, and Informatics in Nursing. The program includes 1,000 hours of clinical practicum. Program faculty and clinical coordinators will collaborate with you to identify clinical preceptors and sites.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are a nurse practitioner certified in a specialty other than psychiatric mental health and you want to become a PMHNP, the Post-Graduate Certificate program at Clarke University is an excellent option! The program is fully online with no campus visits required, which makes it a good choice for working professionals.
The Post-Graduate Certificate program admits new students in the spring of each year and takes four semesters to complete. The program follows an 18-credit plan of study that includes 500 clinical hours. Program faculty and clinical coordinators assist with identifying clinical sites and preceptors. All clinical experiences are precepted on a one-to-one basis between students and preceptors.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The Clarke University School of Nursing is well-regarded by several sources. The school has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, and Plexuss for its quality education and student success.MSN Program Details: Briar Cliff University offers another of the top PMHNP programs in Iowa. One pathway the school offers is the Master of Science in Nursing program. The MSN program is a part-time program designed to be completed in three years or eight semesters. New classes begin in the fall of each year.
Except for two courses, Health Assessment and Advanced Skills, all coursework takes place online. The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NP program requires students to complete 54.5 credits. The rich curriculum features classes like Neuroscience of Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing, Therapeutic Modalities for Advanced Practice Nursing, and Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Children, Adolescents, & Older Adults.
The MSN PMHNP program includes 750 clinical hours. Program faculty work with you to find clinical preceptors and locations close to home, which means you can begin making an impact in a place that means the most to you. The clinical component includes experience in multicultural, underserved, and rural settings.
Post-Graduate ARNP Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate ARPN program is designed to provide master’s-prepared nurses a pathway to become Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. The program features online coursework and limited campus visits to complete courses in Advanced Physical Assessment and Advanced Skills. Students in this pathway complete a minimum of 600 clinical hours. While the Clinical Coordinator and NP faculty vet preceptors and sites and establish clinical contracts, you will collaborate with them to identify preceptors for clinical experiences.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Briar Cliff University prides itself on offering online nursing programs with a personal touch. PMHNP program faculty have several decades of professional and teaching experience and are dedicated to helping you through every step of the program. They guarantee easy access and the ability to communicate as easily as making a phone call, sending an email, or initiating a video chat.RN-to-DNP Program Details: Allen College offers an RN-to-DNP program with the option to specialize in the Psychiatric Mental Health NP role. New cohorts are admitted each fall and spring semester. The program is available part-time or full-time, depending on course availability. Full-time students can complete the program in three years, while part-time students typically take four years to graduate.
The RN-to-DNP program features a hybrid learning format. Some online classes may be scheduled synchronously, while others are asynchronous. Campus attendance is required during track-specific courses for Residency and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
Students who are accepted into the RN-to-DNP program receive 71 hours of articulated credit for completion of RN education and RN licensure. You will then be required to complete 26 additional credits prior to matriculation into the DNP component of the program.
Upon matriculation, you will be required to complete 76 credits. The curriculum is comprised of core courses, track-specific courses, and DNP courses. You will study in classes including Psychopharmacology & Neuropathophysiology, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Analytic Methods for Evidence-Based Practice, and Population Health. The program includes 1,075 clinical practicum hours, including hours that are accumulated during the completion and dissemination of the DNP Scholarly Project.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree and you want to earn a doctorate and become a PMHNP, Allen College’s BSN-to-DNP could be the program for you! The program has two start dates each year, once in the fall and once in the spring. The hybrid learning format program and limited campus visits make this a great option for busy professionals.
The BSN-to-DNP program is a 68-credit pathway. In addition to core nursing and DNP courses, you will take track-specific courses focused on advanced psychiatric nursing care. Each clinical course has a corresponding clinical practicum. In this program, you will complete a total of 1,075 clinical hours, including direct patient care hours and indirect hours. The Clinical Coordinator is responsible for securing clinical placements with your input in the selection of preceptors.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate Certificate program at Allen College is another option for master’s-level registered nurses who want to add the PMHNP certification to their professional role. This program can be completed in as few as four semesters if you enroll full-time, or you can choose to pursue the certificate program on a part-time basis. Admission occurs twice per year in the spring and fall.
While most coursework is delivered online, some campus visits are required for Objective Structured Clinical Exams and Residency. The Post-Graduate Certificate program has a 26-credit curriculum and includes 600 hours of lab and clinicals. However, an individualized plan of study will be developed for you based on a review of your previous graduate nursing transcripts, which could reduce the number of credits and clinical hours you need as well as the time it takes you to complete the program.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Working with nursing students, I understand that one of the most stressful parts of nursing education is clinicals, especially if you do not know where to go or who to use as a preceptor. At Allen College, you will have a dedicated clinical coordinator who will work with you. The Coordinator identifies clinical sites and arranges contracts with facilities and preceptors, taking your needs and wishes into consideration.| Hourly | $50.95 |
| Weekly | $2,038 |
| Monthly | $8,830 |
| Annual | $105,970 |
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $50.95 | $2,038 | $8,830 | $105,970 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $57.64 | $2,306 | $9,990 | $119,900 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $68.05 | $2,722 | $11,800 | $141,540 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $75.78 | $3,031 | $13,140 | $157,630 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $90.56 | $3,623 | $15,700 | $188,370 |
| Hourly | $69.25 |
| Weekly | $2,770 |
| Monthly | $12,000 |
| Annual | $144,040 |
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Ames | $70.11 | $2,804 | $12,150 | $145,830 |
| Cedar Rapids | $67.03 | $2,681 | $11,620 | $139,420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $66.60 | $2,664 | $11,540 | $138,520 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $69.96 | $2,798 | $12,130 | $145,520 |
| Dubuque | $67.59 | $2,704 | $11,720 | $140,590 |
| Iowa City | $65.22 | $2,609 | $11,300 | $135,650 |
| Sioux City | $74.40 | $2,976 | $12,900 | $154,760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $72.13 | $2,885 | $12,500 | $150,020 |
| Average Iowa PMHNP Annual Salary | Average National PMHNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $144,040 | $141,470 | +$2,570 | +1.82% |
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $177,860 | -$33,820 | -19.01% |
| Nevada | $163,690 | -$19,650 | -12.00% |
| Washington | $160,090 | -$16,050 | -10.03% |
| New Jersey | $159,680 | -$15,640 | -9.79% |
| Oregon | $159,590 | -$15,550 | -9.74% |
| Massachusetts | $158,560 | -$14,520 | -9.16% |
| New York | $157,260 | -$13,220 | -8.41% |
| Connecticut | $150,820 | -$6,780 | -4.50% |
| New Mexico | $150,590 | -$6,550 | -4.35% |
| Minnesota | $148,650 | -$4,610 | -3.10% |
| District of Columbia | $148,470 | -$4,430 | -2.98% |
| Rhode Island | $146,940 | -$2,900 | -1.97% |
| Hawaii | $146,010 | -$1,970 | -1.35% |
| Arizona | $145,950 | -$1,910 | -1.31% |
| Delaware | $144,350 | -$310 | -0.21% |
| Iowa | $144,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| New Hampshire | $143,950 | +$90 | +0.06% |
| Texas | $143,140 | +$900 | +0.63% |
| Wisconsin | $141,290 | +$2,750 | +1.95% |
| Maryland | $140,920 | +$3,120 | +2.21% |
| Utah | $140,730 | +$3,310 | +2.35% |
| North Dakota | $140,670 | +$3,370 | +2.40% |
| Pennsylvania | $140,320 | +$3,720 | +2.65% |
| Illinois | $139,720 | +$4,320 | +3.09% |
| Alaska | $138,920 | +$5,120 | +3.69% |
| Vermont | $138,840 | +$5,200 | +3.75% |
| Montana | $137,230 | +$6,810 | +4.96% |
| Idaho | $137,130 | +$6,910 | +5.04% |
| Oklahoma | $136,890 | +$7,150 | +5.22% |
| Wyoming | $136,040 | +$8,000 | +5.88% |
| Indiana | $135,780 | +$8,260 | +6.08% |
| Maine | $135,360 | +$8,680 | +6.41% |
| Ohio | $135,280 | +$8,760 | +6.48% |
| Colorado | $134,310 | +$9,730 | +7.24% |
| Nebraska | $133,970 | +$10,070 | +7.52% |
| North Carolina | $133,870 | +$10,170 | +7.60% |
| Georgia | $133,390 | +$10,650 | +7.98% |
| South Dakota | $133,200 | +$10,840 | +8.14% |
| Virginia | $133,080 | +$10,960 | +8.24% |
| Michigan | $132,870 | +$11,170 | +8.41% |
| Florida | $131,800 | +$12,240 | +9.29% |
| Kansas | $131,320 | +$12,720 | +9.69% |
| Louisiana | $130,660 | +$13,380 | +10.24% |
| Mississippi | $129,360 | +$14,680 | +11.35% |
| South Carolina | $128,750 | +$15,290 | +11.88% |
| Missouri | $128,470 | +$15,570 | +12.12% |
| West Virginia | $124,910 | +$19,130 | +15.32% |
| Arkansas | $124,870 | +$19,170 | +15.35% |
| Kentucky | $121,520 | +$22,520 | +18.53% |
| Alabama | $121,130 | +$22,910 | +18.91% |
| Tennessee | $114,200 | +$29,840 | +26.13% |
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,710 | -$83,670 | -36.74% |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $144,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $124,040 | +$20,000 | +16.12% |
| Registered Nurse | $74,610 | +$69,430 | +93.06% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $71,690 | +$72,350 | +100.92% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $55,870 | +$88,170 | +157.81% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,380 | +$105,660 | +275.30% |
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $186,420 | -$42,380 | -22.73% |
| Podiatrist | $163,700 | -$19,660 | -12.01% |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $144,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,230 | +$14,810 | +11.46% |
| Pharmacist | $127,780 | +$16,260 | +12.72% |
| Optometrist | $122,970 | +$21,070 | +17.13% |
| Veterinarian | $106,040 | +$38,000 | +35.84% |
| Physical Therapist | $91,850 | +$52,190 | +56.82% |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,790 | +$58,250 | +67.90% |
| Audiologist | $83,620 | +$60,420 | +72.26% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,220 | +$60,820 | +73.08% |
| Radiation Therapist | $82,310 | +$61,730 | +75.00% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,210 | +$61,830 | +75.21% |
| Chiropractor | $69,650 | +$74,390 | +106.81% |
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
| 4 |
| $69.25 |
| $2,770 |
| $12,000 |
| $144,040 |
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +52.92% |




Darby Faubion BSN, RN