Radford University to offer rare mental health nursing program

RADFORD (WSLS 10) - Beginning this fall, Radford University will become the third school in Virginia to offer a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate.

There are about 140 nurses in the state with the certification, which is just two percent of all nurse practitioners.

Radford University leaders are hoping this new program can help address what they believe is a growing mental health problem in Southwest Virginia.

The program is happening thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University also offer the certificate program.