Psych NP Jobs & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Careers

What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner / Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP)?

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners also known as Psychiatric NPs/Psych NPs or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), are registered nurses with advanced education and training in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental health conditions. They also help people dealing with difficult life circumstances, grief, and family issues. A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will address physical and mental health concerns, and offer treatment options based on in-depth physical and mental assessments. Interventions can include individual or group counseling, psychotherapy, and the prescribing of medication.

Psychiatric NPs often work closely with other health professionals, creating an interdisciplinary treatment plan to ensure patients receive the many benefits of holistic treatment. Psychiatric NPs can meet with patients individually or in a group setting. Depending on their area of expertise, these practitioners may work in private practice, behavioral health clinics, residential treatment centers, or alongside general practitioners working with adults or children. Psychiatric NPs also work in public health and correctional facilities.

Depending on a Psychiatric NP’s chosen specialty, he or she may work with children, teens, geriatric patients, or other populations. Some specialize in specific psychiatric diagnoses or substance-abuse problems, while others offer family counseling services.

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What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner responsible for?

As mental health specialists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are responsible for treating patients while spreading awareness about mental health issues and promoting overall wellness. They educate individuals, families, and communities in an effort to advocate for those affected by mental illness, and to destigmatize mental health conditions.

Here is a video of a day in the life of a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Where does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner work?

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can choose to work with adults, adolescents, or children in a variety of settings based on his/her specialty. Many Psychiatric Nurse work in private practice or behavioral health clinics. Other settings include residential treatment centers or general practitioners’ offices. Working alongside other health professionals often means creating an interdisciplinary treatment plan to address patients’ overall health and wellness.

Can a PMHNP work remotely?

Yes, there are many opportunities for a PMHNP looking to work remotely. Here are some of our latest remote opportunities.

The pandemic accelerated remote working and in particular telehealth by a decade and this has brought about a lot of opportunities for healthcare workers looking to enjoy the flexibility of working remotely and mental health is no exception.

The lack of commute facilitates a better work-life balance and huge cost savings however the role of a PMHNP is a challenging and often stressful one; the loneliness of working remotely can add to this. Additionally there may be fewer support and developmental opportunities vs working in a setting but this may change as more providers get better with supporting and training their remote workforce.

What other career options are available to a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

In addition to practicing in treatment centers and doctor’s offices, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can work in public health or correctional facilities. Family counseling, substance abuse programs, and consulting for large corporations are also options. Some Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Jobs are researchers, always eager to learn about breakthroughs in mental health diagnoses and treatment, and share their knowledge with colleagues and the general public.

What degree is required to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner? What do they study?

Those interested in becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners must obtain a master’s degree in nursing. While it is not a requirement, many Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners master’s students go on to earn a doctorate degree. Those specializing in psychiatric nursing, and who plan to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are required to obtain a Registered Nurse license and a certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Many students choose a specialty area which becomes their area of focus. Specialties include working with: children or teens, senior citizens, and individuals struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders, or specific diagnoses.

How much money does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner earn?

Like with many healthcare professions, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners salaries vary greatly depending on geographical location and demand, as well as level of education, training, and experience. Income also differs based on the Psychiatric Nurse’s specialty and work setting.

Experienced psychiatric nurse practitioners get paid an average of $139,976 per year.

Where do Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Get Paid the Most?

Here are the top 5 states for PMHNP salaries:

1. Washington – $203,000
2. California – $191,000
3. Arizona – $169,000
4. New York – $152,000
5. Pennsylvania – $150,000

 

Is PMHNP a good career?

Being a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is a demanding but ultimately very rewarding career.

There is certainly strong demand so you can be assured of a “job for life”. The BLS is projecting a 17% increase between 2019 to 2029 in jobs for nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatric care.

The pay is excellent, as noted above, with an average salary of nearly $140,000. That being said it is a career which requires considerable initial training and experience and a significant commitment to ongoing education.

As you might expect, the role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. You’ll be helping patients with often very challenging conditions which will require a great deal of compassion. Additionally you may be working alongside other care professionals to support a patient so the ability to work as a team is also important.

Finally, due to the variety of opportunities available and the high demand for qualified psychiatric nurse practitioners, you will often have the luxury of choice when it comes to selecting an employer which suits your lifestyle. For example, you may earn more in a hospital setting or as a traveling mental health nurse but the trade off will be often longer and irregular hours.

Position	Company	Location	Posted
FAMILY or ADULT MEDICAL NURSE PRACTITIONER or PHYSCIAN ASSISTANT	District Medical Group (DMG)	Mesa, Arizona	09/23/2022
FAMILY or ADULT MEDICAL NURSE PRACTITIONER or PHYSCIAN ASSISTANT Medical Consultation to Behavioral Health. A full-time opportunity exists for a Family or Adult Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to provide medical consultation and as needed, follow up medical care in the DMG Division of Medicine at Valleywise Health Psychiatry Hospital ... More
NP - Psychiatry/Neurology Opening by Beautiful Lake Superior	Essentia Health	Duluth, Minnesota US	09/22/2022
Description of Duties: Utilizes advanced health assessment, knowledge, and decision-making skills, works independently and in collaboration with physicians and other health care professionals. Provides health care to individuals and families, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. They may care for patients ranging in age from infant to young adult as noted in age-related category and area of expertise. About the ... More
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Opportunity	Trinity Health	Schenectady, New York US	09/21/2022
St. Peter's Health Partners is seeking a full-time outpatient Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner on behalf of Ellis Hospital located in Schenectady, New York. Ellis Medicine's Outpatient clinic has been helping people overcome mental illness for more than 50 years and offers specialized services for adults, children, and adolescents. The selected Psychiatric NP will provide outpatient coverage for adult patients at the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. The schedule for this ... More
Full-time and part-time Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Opportunities - Danbury and Norwalk Hospital in Danbury, and Norwalk Connecticut (60 miles and 50 miles from New York City)	Nuvance Health	Danbury, Connecticut US	09/21/2022
Full-time and part-time Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Opportunities - Danbury and Norwalk Hospital in Danbury, and Norwalk Connecticut (60 miles and 50 miles from New York City) Nuvance Health is seeking Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners to join our growing Psychiatry teams at Danbury and Norwalk Hospitals. Danbury Hospital is seeking a full-time Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to join our Psychiatry team for a full-time inpatient position to cover our ... More
Nurse Practitioner- C&A Inpatient Behavioral Health	Tidal Health	Salisbury, Maryland US	09/21/2022
TidalHealth in Salisbury, near beautiful MD beaches is seeking a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Opportunity will provide care to patients in the psychiatric inpatient acute care unit and the partial hospitalization program, as well as assisting with patients in the emergency room and on the medical floors. Job Summary: Assumes primary patient care responsibility for patients in collaboration with the attending psychiatrists. Completes ... More
Family Medicine Opening South of Boston-PACE Program	Enterprise Medical Services	Massachusetts	09/21/2022
Date Posted: 2/16/2022Job Category: Family MedicineA Boston area community health center is adding a Family Practice Physician to their PACE program south of Boston. About the opportunity The PACE program provides all-inclusive care to the elderlyInnovative comprehensive care management model serving frail elders over age 55One of more than 130 PACE programs in the nationThis site has 4 Geriatricians, 4 Geriatric ... More
Psychiatrist	Winona Health	Winona, Minnesota	09/21/2022
Winona Health is seeking a Psychiatrist to join our Psychiatry & Counseling team located in a Midwest college community along the banks of the Mississippi River. 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. daily schedule, flexible schedule NO call expectations Top-range salary and sign-on bonus High level of collaboration with Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health Therapists, and primary care providers ... More
Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner - University Hospitals	US Acute Care Solutions	Elyria, Ohio US	09/20/2022
University Hospitals Clinical Associates is seeking full-time PA/NP with 1 to 2 years of Emergency Medicine experience to work at UH Elyria and UH Ahuja Medical Centers. At US Acute Care Solutions, you will have the opportunity to practice compassionate, attentive, and quality care with a group that invests in your growth, while valuing and rewarding your expertise. Our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners work side by side with our physicians as clinical ... More