PMHNP-BC Exam Preparation
PMHNP-BC Preparation and Resources
The ANCC provides a list of recommended references to assist in preparing for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC™) exam, focusing on Scientific Foundation, Advanced Practice Skills, Diagnosis and Treatment, Psychotherapy and Related Theories, and Ethical, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care. BoardCerts bridges the gap by offering practice questions meticulously aligned with the official ANCC blueprint. Our detailed rationales reinforce diagnostic reasoning and clinical expertise, allowing candidates to evaluate their readiness and master the complexities of psychiatric care across the lifespan.
Key Concepts on the PMHNP-BC Exam
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
PMHNP-BC Exam Blueprint Focus Areas
| Area of Focus | Subtopics | Percent of Exam |
|---|---|---|
Scientific Foundation |
| 22% |
Advanced Practice Skills |
| 27% |
Diagnosis and Treatment |
| 22% |
Psychotherapy and Related Theories |
| 11% |
Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care |
| 17% |
PMHNP-BC Resources
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, 2022, American Nurses Association.
Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application, American Nurses Association, 2015, American Nurses Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), American Psychiatric Association, 2022, American Psychiatric Publishing.
Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, L.S. Bickley, 2021, Wolters Kluwer.
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice, M.A. Boyd, R. Luebbert, 2022, Wolters Kluwer.
The Psychiatric Interview, D.J. Carlat, 2017, Wolters Kluwer.
Fischbach’s A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, F.T. Fischbach, M.A. Fischbach, K. Stout, 2022, Wolters Kluwer.
Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, M.J. Halter, 2022, Elsevier.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, J. Loscalzo, A.S. Fauci, D.L. Kasper, et al., 2022, McGraw Hill Education.
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice, B.M. Melnyk, E. Fineout-Overholt, 2023, Wolters Kluwer.
Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, B.J. Sadock, V.A. Sadock, P. Ruiz, 2017, Wolters Kluwer.
Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology: Prescriber’s Guide, S.M. Stahl, 2021, Cambridge University Press.
Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications, S.M. Stahl, 2021, Cambridge University Press.
Hamric and Hanson's Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach, M.F. Tracy, E.T. O’Grady, S.J. Phillips, 2023, Elsevier.
Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse: A How-To Guide for Evidence-Based Practice, K. Wheeler, 2022, Springer Publishing Company.
Nursing 2023 Drug Handbook, Wolters Kluwer, 2023, Wolters Kluwer.
BoardCerts PMHNP-BC Question Bank
The BoardCerts PMHNP-BC question bank is meticulously designed to align with the official exam blueprint, ensuring you focus on the most relevant material for success.