Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), also called psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), provide a range of holistic treatments to those with mental, emotional, and behavioral medical problems.
Some PMHNPs work together with psychiatrists; others can work independently depending on their location in the country. While psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs both manage the care of similar patients, there are differences. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are more likely to work in private practice. On the other hand, psychiatric NPs often work in mental health clinics and additionally provide education and resources for patients and families.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners who are board-certified provide comprehensive care for their patients. They are licensed to diagnose, prescribe medications, and can refer to other practitioners. Depending on their interest, psychiatric nurse practitioners can focus on family health or a specialty area. For example, a psychiatric nurse practitioner can further specialize in pediatrics, addiction medicine, or geriatrics.
In approximately 27 states (including D.C.), NPs can practice independently from physicians. In 13 states, they can work with partial supervision, while in 11 states, NPs have more restricted practices.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) have obtained their advanced practice nursing degrees by obtaining either a master’s or doctoral degree and completing additional clinical hours. Their practice area determines what further education, clinical training, and certifications they need.
The setting where the psychiatric nurse practitioner works determine much of their role, but general activities may include:
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, in-patient psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, addiction centers, and in-home healthcare.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners manage patients with:
Nurse practitioners who already practice in another area can complete a postgraduate program in mental health-psychiatric care to become psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Courses are either in person or online. The PMHNP program must include a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.
To become a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS), you must already be certified as either a:
Over the last five years, you must have completed 2,000 clinical hours in pediatric developmental, behavioral, and mental health (DBMH) and additional pediatric developmental, behavioral, and mental health (DBMH) coursework.
All psychiatric nurse practitioners must obtain MSN degrees, but some get doctoral degrees. These doctoral degrees are not to be confused with physicians’ medical doctor degrees.
After completing all training and clinical hours, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) from the ANCC may be taken.
Pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioners may also gain certification as a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) through the PCNB.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners must be BCLS certified and renew their NP license every one to three years, depending on their state. Each state also requires a differing number of CEU hours.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners typically make between $100,240 - $123,000, with a median salary of $112,140, according to Salary.com.
The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest and lowest wages for nurse practitioners. The highest-paid states are California, New Jersey, and New York. The lowest-paid states are Alabama, Kentucky, and South Carolina, which is tied with West Virginia.
