- What do psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) do?
- Can you specialize within psychiatric nursing?
- How can I become a PMHN?
- Why do psychiatric-mental health nurses obtain a master's or doctoral degree?
- How do I find a good program for psychiatric nursing?
- Are PMHNs certified?
- What about titles for PMHNs?
- How can I determine if psychiatric nursing is for me before I enter a basic nursing program?
- What is the annual salary for PMHMs?
- Is psychiatric-mental health nursing experiencing a shortage now?
- How do psychiatric-mental health nurses differ from psychiatrists, social workers and psychologists?
- How can nurses “switch” to psychiatric nursing?
- How can I find out more about psychiatric nursing?
What do psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHN) do?
The clinical practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing occurs at two levels, basic and advanced. At the basic level, registered nurses work with individuals, families, groups and communities, assessing mental health needs, and developing a nursing diagnosis and a plan of nursing care, implementing the plan and finally evaluating the nursing care.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) earn master’s degrees in psychiatric-mental health nursing and assume the role of either Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner. Psychiatric-mental health nursing (PMHN) is considered a “specialty” in nursing. In addition to the functions performed at the basic level, APRN’s assess, diagnose, and treat individuals or families with psychiatric problems/disorders or the potential for such disorders. APRN also earn doctoral degrees (PhD, DNSc, and EdD) and they are often professors, researchers or hospital, agency or graduate program administrators.
Can you specialize within psychiatric nursing?
APRNs can sub-specialize in such areas as Child-Adolescent Mental Health Nursing, Gero-psychiatric Nursing, Forensics, or Substance-Abuse. Some specialize in the consultation-liaison role in which the APRN provides a service and consultation to clients who are physically ill and experiencing psychiatric problems or their caregiver.
How can I become a PMHN?
To become a registered nurse (RN), there are two year programs leading to an associate’s degree in nursing, a three-year program for a diploma in nursing (usually hospital-based) or a four-year college or university program leading to a bachelor’s degree. All are eligible to take the RN licensing examination after graduation.
Why do psychiatric-mental health nurses obtain a master's or doctoral degree?
In order to work in particular roles, such as a psychotherapist, consultant, and university educator, nurses need to obtain an advanced degree.
How do I find a good program for psychiatric nursing?
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National League for Nursing accredit programs. Click here for a listing of graduate programs in the United States.
Are psychiatric-mental health nurses certified?
Certification for PMHNs at all levels is provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
What are the titles for PMHNs?
PMHNs would be the title for the basic level nurse who works in Psychiatric Nursing. Some just have RN after their name. Each state decides on the title it will use for nurses in advanced practice and what functions they may undertake—such as medication prescriber. Some of the different titles are APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC.
Titles vary depending on the state. For the most accurate information, contact each state for the title, scope of practice and requirements for advanced licensing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing identifies the contact information for the state nursing boards.
How can I determine if psychiatric-mental health nursing is for me before I enter a basic nursing program?
It is often wise to do some volunteer work in agencies, hospitals, and/or community programs where you would encounter individuals or families with psychiatric problems. These volunteer roles may be limited. PMHNs need good communication and relationship skills as well as a broad base in the basic and behavioral sciences in their work.
Basic nursing programs provide a “rotation” in psychiatric-mental health nursing that helps introduce students to the specialty and assists them with determining if they want to work in this area or even go on for a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
What is the annual salary for PMHNs?
Basic-level PMHNs usually start at an annual salary of $35,000–$40,000. APRNs generally earn $60,000 or more. Nurse executives earn $100,000 or more. Faculty members earn $65,000 or more. Like most professions, the pay scale depends on many factors, such as level of education, years of experience, size of the agency or hospital and geographic location.
Is psychiatric-mental health nursing experiencing a shortage now?
As with all nursing specialties, we too are experiencing a shortage of nurses at all levels and in most roles.
How do PMHNs differ from psychiatrists, social workers and psychologists?
PMHNs have degrees in nursing. At times, the role of an APRN with a master’s degree may overlap with those of a psychologist, social worker and psychiatrist. For example, all usually do psychotherapy. APRN and psychiatrists can prescribe, whereas psychologists and social workers cannot. Psychologists are trained to do psychological testing. Members of the other three disciplines are not trained in this way. All of these different psychiatric providers can practice independently, but are also subject to state laws governing practice and scope of practice (what each is allowed to do).
How can nurses “switch” to psychiatric-mental health nursing?
The best way is to apply for an entry-level psychiatric-mental health nursing position in a hospital or agency. Some schools provide courses for review of psychiatric nursing. Some individuals choose to obtain a master’s degree in this specialty to have a strong foundation in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
How can I find out more about psychiatric-mental health nursing?
Libraries and online resources are the best vehicle for journal articles and books on the specialty of psychiatric nursing.
