The Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty at Duke University School of Nursing prepares advanced practice nurses to address the growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents.
Our PBMH Specialty equips you with the sought-after skills to assess, manage, and provide ongoing care for pediatric patients with common behavioral and mental health conditions.
As the first program of its kind in the country, Duke’s pediatric mental health nursing certificate program integrates online coursework and hands-on clinical preparation to position you for national certification as a pediatric mental health specialist. Our PBMH specialization offers advanced training in pediatric primary care as well as behavioral and mental health assessment, treatment, diagnosis, and management.
With your pediatric behavioral and mental health certificate, you can pursue rewarding careers in diverse healthcare settings, including primary care practices, school-based health centers, and pediatric specialty clinics. Our PBMH graduates are also committed to advancing health equity by improving child and adolescent mental health in underserved and rural communities.
Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty Highlights
Duke University School of Nursing’s Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty provides you with a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to pediatric mental health nursing. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current nursing role or to chart a new course, our program equips you with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference in improving child and adolescent mental health:
Advanced certification:
The PBMH Specialty prepares you for the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist certification exam offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. You must complete a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours to be eligible to sit for the exam. Learn more about certification steps and exam requirements.
Evidence-based training:
Our Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty courses emphasize evidence-based practices, providing you with the latest knowledge and skills in this vital area of healthcare. This training ensures you’re prepared to meet the challenges of pediatric behavioral and mental healthcare with confidence.
Flexible course format:
Courses for the pediatric mental health nursing specialization are delivered online, allowing you to balance your studies with work, family, and other commitments. An on-campus intensive day offers hands-on experiences to enhance your learning process.
Clinical experience:
Gain valuable real-world experience with clinical training in pediatric behavioral and mental health settings. Initial training is offered at a specialized pediatric mental health facility in North Carolina, and we’ll work with you to find potential options for completing your practice hours closer to home.
Expert faculty:
Our Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty courses are taught by dedicated faculty who are leaders in pediatric behavioral and mental health. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, they’ll provide you with valuable insights, expertise, and mentorship throughout your PBMH program.
Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty Courses
Our pediatric mental health nursing certificate program includes a comprehensive sequence of courses to prepare you for advanced practice in pediatric mental health care. The three courses you’ll take include:
- NUR 523: Pediatric Behavioral Mental Health Assessment and Management I Focuses on foundational knowledge in pediatric behavioral health (Spring only).
- NUR 526: Pediatric Behavioral Mental Health Assessment and Management II: Builds on the concepts learned in the first course with a focus on advanced clinical skills (Summer only).
- NUR 525: Pediatric Behavioral Mental Health Assessment and Management – Clinical: Provides hands-on clinical experiences in a variety of pediatric settings.
Learn More About the Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty
Enrollment Options
The Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty is available to students preparing to become certified as a pediatric or family advanced practice nurse (APRN). Certified APRNs currently practicing in clinical settings can choose to complete the PBMH Management I course (rather than the complete specialty sequence) to meet the preparation requirement for the pediatric mental health specialist certification.
If you’re interested in adding the pediatric mental health nursing specialty to your academic plan, you must complete the Add a Specialty Form. This form must be submitted to the MSN Program Office via email at least 10 days before the start of the semester. Duke University School of Nursing students interested in taking one or more of the courses as an elective should consult with their advisor.
Nurse practitioners with an MSN degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and nurse practitioner students from other regionally accredited colleges or universities interested in taking any courses in this sequence should email Duke University School of Nursing Admissions to register as a non-degree-seeking student.
Enrollment decisions are made by the lead faculty of the specialty based on space availability.
The Duke University School of Nursing Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant # T94HP30869, Advanced Nursing Education Workforce. The information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Specialty Director
Anne L. Derouin
DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, FAANP, ANEF
Anne Derouin is currently the Lead Faculty for the Pediatric Behavior Mental Health specialty program at Duke University School of Nursing. She provides adolescent primary care services at Community and School-based Health Centers affiliated with Duke’s Department of Community and Family Medicine for more than two decades.
Learn more about Anne Derouin: Scholars@Duke