Top PMHNP Specialties For 2026
![Top PMHNP Specialties for [year]](https://media.nurse.org/cache/0f/2c/0f2c3cba10792a091898522bde5827e0.png)
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) treat mental health disorders and illnesses, including substance abuse and addiction. PMHNPs can further specialize in the patient populations or settings they serve, such as geriatric care, addiction treatment, military, or disaster response.
Read on to discover the top six PMHNP specialties to help you find a career path that aligns with your goals and passions.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Health Informatics
-
MSN - Nursing Education
-
MSN - Public Health Nursing
-
MSN - Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
-
MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
-
MBA & MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
Top Six PMHNP Subspecialties
1. Geriatric PMHNP
This is perfect for those interested in helping the older population and navigating age-related mental health challenges.
A geriatric psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner has specialty training to provide the type of mental health care patients over the age of 65 need. This treatment may include depression and end-of-life concerns.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Gain experience with the geriatric population
2. Addiction Disorder PMHNP
Substance abuse and addiction affect millions of Americans every year, so this is a career with constant employment. It is a great specialization for those interested in helping those struggling with primarily drug and alcohol addiction.
Addiction disorder PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in caring for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. This PMHNP specialty's role is to assess, diagnose, and treat substance abuse by combining pharmacological and therapeutic approaches.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Earn a subspecialty certification from the Addictions Nursing Certification Board
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Health Informatics
-
MSN - Nursing Education
-
MSN - Public Health Nursing
-
MSN - Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
-
MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
-
MBA & MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
3. Child and Adolescent PMHNP
A child and adolescent PMHNP specializes in the mental health of the pediatric patient. Depending on the disease process, they may also treat the family unit and provide treatment options to those who live in the same residence.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Earn specialty certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
4. Forensics PMHNP
This specialization is ideal for individuals with a passion for justice, precise attention to detail, and critical thinking with strong problem-solving abilities.
Forensic PMHNPs provide mental health treatment and support to those within the legal and criminal justice system. They provide care to victims of violence, gather and preserve evidence, and collaborate with legal professionals.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Complete specialized training in forensics
- Complete forensic nursing certification from the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) or through the Forensic Nursing Certification Board (FNCB).
- Join the Academy of Forensic Nursing (AFN)
5. Disaster Care PMHNP
Disaster care PMHNPs work directly with individuals who have experienced a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, and lost either significant belongings or family. PMHNPs will assist their patients in accepting the results of the disaster and help provide resources to move forward.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Volunteer with relief organizations to gain experience
- Complete specialized disaster response training courses from FEMA, International Trauma Life Support, and/or wilderness medicine courses
- Complete specialized NP tracks or concentrations in global disaster response or disaster preparedness
6. Military PMHNP
Those interested in serving our country and supporting the men and women who fight for it.
Military PMHNPs have specialized training to help those who have served in combat. Most commonly, they see patients who are dealing with forms of PTSD from combat. Military PMHNPs generally work at VA hospitals or outpatient care settings, but may also serve overseas depending on enlistment guidelines.
Requirements
- Earn a BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RN)
- Enroll in an accredited PMHNP program
- Pass the PMHNP national certification exam
- Meet military-specific criteria, including physical fitness and age requirements
- Meet with a recruitment officer and join the military branch of interest
- Complete the officer training program
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Health Informatics
-
MSN - Nursing Education
-
MSN - Public Health Nursing
-
MSN - Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
-
MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
-
MBA & MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
