How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric nurses help mental health patients manage their complex physical and emotional needs. Not only is psychiatric nursing a fulfilling career, but it also offers variety and new challenges each day.

If you're interested in joining this lucrative and rewarding nursing specialty, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll discuss how to become a psychiatric nurse, including psych RN requirements, salary expectations, necessary skills, and top programs. Read on to learn about how to reach your psych nursing career goals.

Also called psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHNs), a psychiatric nurse provides mental health services to individuals and communities. Psych nurses are skilled mental health professionals who help treat conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

As a psych nurse, you may work with patients of all ages - from children to teens and adults. You won't just need a strong foundation in basic and behavioral sciences to work in this specialty. Other skills you'll need to foster include communication, flexibility, and open-mindedness about diverse lifestyles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that registered nurses (RNs) earn an average annual salary of $86,070 or $41.38 per hour in May 2023. While the BLS includes psych RNs in this data, they do not differentiate between different nursing specialties. 

Your psychiatric nurse salary will vary depending on your education, years of experience, employer, and location. Payscale estimates that PMHNs earn $73,584, while Indeed estimates an average closer to $138,094 annually, making them one of the highest-paying nursing careers.

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nursing Programs

Highest Paying States for RN Salaries

Remember, your psychiatric nurse salary isn't just a dollar amount. A total compensation package may include health and dental insurance, a retirement or 401K plan, paid days off and holidays, tuition support, and more. 

Step 1. Complete a Nursing Program

You must graduate from an accredited nursing program to become a psychiatric nurse. You may attend either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or diploma program to satisfy this requirement. 

Many nursing programs offer psych clinical rotations, allowing you to gain insight into the field. You may also volunteer at an agency that serves those with mental health issues to learn more about working with this population.

Step 2. Earn your RN License

Next, you'll take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). Passing this nationwide licensure exam certifies you to practice as a registered nurse.

Step 3. Earn a Psychiatric Nursing Certification

If you want to hone your skills even further, you can earn the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). 

PMH-BC certification is valid for five years and requires the following:

• Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold a professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.
• Practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse.
• Minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in psychiatric–mental health nursing within the last 3 years.
• Completed 30 hours of continuing education in psychiatric–mental health nursing within the last 3 years.

>> Explore Psychiatric Nursing Certification Review Materials* 

You can expand your scope of practice and earning potential as an advanced practice psychiatric nurse. As a psych APRN, you can hold one of two titles:

1. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
2. Psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist (PMHCNS)

>> Related: CNS vs NP: What's the Difference?

To become a psych APRN, you should earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. For your convenience, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association lists accredited programs, searchable by state.

Psychiatric NPs and CNSs can also earn ANCC certifications, which may be required to practice depending on where you live. Review your state’s specific requirements via the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

PMHNP Specialization for Practicing NPs

If you're already an NP but want to specialize in psychiatric mental health, you'll still need to pursue additional education and certification. However, you won't need to attend another MSN program. Instead, you'll attend a PMHNP certification program.

PMHNP post-graduate certificates allow nurse practitioners in other specialties to transition to mental health. The shortest online PMHNP certificate programs are just 12 months, allowing you to change your career trajectory swiftly.

There are numerous programs that prepare students to become psychiatric nurses, and our panel of nurses ranked them based on factors mentioned in the methodology. Because individual nursing pathways and careers take various forms, the top 10 psychiatric nurse programs are ranked in no particular order. 

Methodology

This list is based on a number of factors, including:

• Reputation
• Tuition
• Acceptance rate, when available
• Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible

Psychiatric nurses can earn either a master's or doctoral degree, so this list takes into account both degree options. 

Nurse Panel

Our selection panel is made up of 3 Registered Nurses with years of experience and multiple degrees:

• Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
• Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
• Kathleen Gaines, MSN, BSN, RN, BA, CBC

Psychiatric nurses' scope of practice includes working with clinicians, social workers, and other professionals to create and execute mental health care plans. Working with patients across the lifespan, PMHNs aid in treating a range of mental health problems through education and medical interventions. For example, they may teach coping skills, lead group therapy, and give medication as part of a treatment plan.

Psych Nurse Duties

• Assess patient status
• Provide care based on treatment and nursing care plans
• Provide counseling and lead therapeutic groups
• Give medication and assess for responses and side effects
• Teach patients or clients coping skills 
• Work closely with other members of the healthcare team
• Assess and document mental health conditions
• Assist mental health clinicians in designing and carrying out treatment plans
• Recommend diagnostic tests as a member of a mental health care team
• Provide psychotherapy
• Make referrals as appropriate

>> Related: What Does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Do?

Psych Nurse Skills

To succeed as a psychiatric nurse, you should foster the following skills:

• Attention to detail
• Conscientiousness
• Ability to juggle priorities and tasks
• Emotional management
• Ability to work in stressful situations (e.g. escalating patients)
• Eagerness to learn
• Self-care and work-life balance
• Flexibility

Additionally, you must be open to patients from many cultural backgrounds, income levels, and value systems. Adapting your approach based on the patient's needs and background will help you be the best PMHN possible.

Psych nurses have many choices when it comes to work settings:

• Assisted living facilities
• Behavioral care companies
• Community mental health centers
• Hospitals, medical centers, and VA hospitals
• Long-term care centers
• Military clinics or hospitals
• Primary care offices
• Private practices
• Rehabilitation centers
• Specialty psychiatric or substance abuse hospitals
• State and federal facilities (e.g. prisons and other agencies, including the court system)
• Universities and colleges

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nursing Programs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nursing employment will grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032. There is a shortage of psych nurses, with baby boomer nurses nearing retirement and the growing health demands of our aging population.

Given the demand for psychiatric nursing at all levels and the shortage of qualified psych nurses, demand for this specialty will likely continue growing in the coming years.

^{Sources: Nami.org, CDC.gov}

Clinical practice and continuing education requirements for renewing a nursing license, certification, and advanced practice certification vary by state and credentialing agency.

Check with your state board and professional organization for the rules on keeping your RN license and certification up to date. You can also visit our Continuing Nursing Education Guide for details.

Learn more about psych nursing by searching the web, and talking with nurses currently working in the field. Contact your state chapter of the APNA and ask to speak with a psych nurse in your area. 

Also, reach out to your local hospital or school of nursing to find out about any upcoming career fairs. Set up an appointment with a student advisor or career counselor at your local college or university. 

Many sources can get you started on your search for psych nursing positions. First, check the “Careers” pages of websites for hospitals and agencies that interest you. Many online resources are available these days, including nursing social media sites, career sites, and dedicated nursing career sites such as our job board. 

Psych nursing is a versatile career path that offers variety in patients, work settings, and skills. Psych nurses play a vital role in improving the health and lives of patients, families, and communities. As a psych nurse, you’ll know that your daily efforts improve the well-being of our society as a whole.

 

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RN $70,000 - $90,000 Associate Bachelors Psychiatric Non-Bedside