About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Psychiatric-mental health nursing supports peoples’ well-being through prevention and education, as well as assessment, diagnosis, care, and treatment of all types of mental health and substance use disorders. Psychiatric-mental health nursing is both an art and a science – employing a wide range of nursing, psychosocial, and neurobiological expertise to achieve positive mental health outcomes.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
Psychiatric-mental health nurses are trained mental health care professionals that practice according to high quality licensing and credentialing standards. They work in a variety of settings and provide comprehensive care to individuals, families, groups, and communities impacted by mental health. They form strong therapeutic relationships with people experiencing mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders, and often with their families as well.
As the second largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S., psychiatric-mental health nurses practice at two levels:
Psychiatric-Mental Health Registered Nurses (PMH-RN) work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to assess mental health, and contribute to the development of a diagnosis and a plan of care. PMH nurses maintain current knowledge of advances in genetics and neuroscience and their impact on psychopharmacology and other treatment modalities.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMH-APRNs) provide the full range of specialized services that constitute mental health and psychiatric care and treatment. They hold advanced master’s or doctoral degrees, national certification, and additional licensure (based on their state board of nursing requirements). PMH APRNs practice as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) or Nurse Practitioners (NP), though titles vary by state. Learn More about the PMH-APRN Role