Review of Successful Educational Programs in the Clinical Nursing Doctorate in Mental Health

Bagheri Amiri Z; Jouybari L; Mancheri H; Mahmoodi-Shan  GHR

doi:10.18502/jmed.v20i2.19723

Bagheri Amiri Z PhD Candidate of Nursing, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Jouybari L Professor, Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Mancheri H Assistant Professor, Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Mahmoodi-Shan GHR Associate Professor, Nursing Research, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmed.v20i2.19723

Keywords: Clinical Nursing PhD, Curriculum, Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Nursing

Abstract

Introduction: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is an effective strategy for preparing nurses advanced level of nursing. The United States, as a pioneer in implementing this program, plays an effective role in developing this program in other countries. This study was conducted with the aim of introducing successful educational programs in the doctoral course of clinical mental health nursing.

Method: This descriptive-comparative study was conducted in 2025 using Beredy's four-stage model. A search was performed on the websites of reputable and pioneering universities offering this program, including Johns Hopkins University, Rush, Washington, and San Francisco in the USA. Then, the components and important indicators of the curricula were analyzed based on the stages of description, interpretation, proximity, and comparison.

Results: The curriculum of these four faculties emphasizes fundamental values such as respect, honesty, responsibility, and excellence. These programs, centered on evidence-based practice, train nurses who have the ability to diagnose and manage acute and chronic mental disorders and provide effective care and educational services to patients, families, and communities within specialized interdisciplinary teams.

Conclusion: The clinical nursing doctoral program in these four faculties is implemented with the aim of training specialized nurses to provide psychiatric nursing care to patients and their families. Given the growth of the nursing profession and its specialization, utilizing the educational experiences of these faculties can serve as a model for implementing this program in Iran and other countries.