How to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

As the stigma surrounding mental health lessens, more people are recognizing the importance of mental health and, when necessary, seeking out providers like psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Read on to learn what’s involved in psychiatric nursing and how to become a licensed professional in this field.

The field of psychiatric nursing focuses on assessing, treating and supporting people with mental and behavioral health conditions in order to enhance their well-being. Here’s a closer look at the field and the role specifically. 

This is a nurse who has pursued additional education, training and licensure beyond that of a standard RN and practices in the field of mental health. (Other nurse practitioners may work in different areas of specialization such as geriatrics or family medicine.) Typically, this term refers to a nurse practitioner who is licensed to provide advanced psychiatric nursing care. They may have their own practice and may have the ability to prescribe medication. 

The exact role and responsibilities vary depending on the facility, the position or whether the PMHNP has an independent practice. For example, a mental health nurse practitioner has, similar to a physician, the ability to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications and treatments, and order diagnostic tests. In contrast, a clinical research nurse specializing in psychiatric care may not perform those activities and typically focuses on conducting and leading studies in mental health.

Some common duties of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner include:

• Assess and diagnose patients with mental and behavioral health conditions
• Prescribe medications and treatments
• Create holistic care plans
• Educate patients and their families about the diagnosed condition
• Coordinate care with other healthcare team members, such as social workers, counselors and psychiatrists

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners play a key role in expanding access to mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas where there is a shortage of providers. According to a 2023 National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation report, 49% of people in the U.S. live in an area that has a mental health workforce shortage. By providing high-quality, compassionate care, these nurses can potentially fill in the gap to contribute to better patient outcomes and ensure individuals receive timely and effective treatment.

What sets PMHNPs apart and makes them important in this field is their training in the nursing model, which emphasizes a holistic approach to care. This allows them to address both the physical and mental health needs through a collaborative, individualized, patient-centered approach. Their role is essential in improving mental health care access and outcomes, fostering a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report on psychiatric nurse practitioner salaries specifically, but it does offer data for nurse practitioners as a general category. As of May 2023, nurse practitioners earned between $95,530 and $211,820, with a median wage of $126,260, according to BLS.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

If you started your nursing career with an ADN, your first step is to obtain a BSN. There are many program options for accelerating this process, such as an RN-to-BSN program, which allows you to apply credits earned in your ADN to your BSN.

If you hold a bachelor's degree in another field, certain programs allow you to apply some of those credits toward a BSN. 

Depending on how you obtained your RN license, clinical experience could be completed alongside earning your BSN. It’s a good idea to gain psychiatric nursing experience by working in mental health settings. For those who wish to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll find that most attend a two-to-three-year master’s program while also acquiring 500 to 750 hours of clinical experience.

Your next step is to obtain your MSN in the advanced practice specialty you wish to practice in; the area you choose will depend on your career goals. If you wish to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, then becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner may be of interest to you.

Master’s programs can take up to two years to complete, depending on your program type and whether you attend full time or part time. For the nurse practitioner programs, you’ll need to complete 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours to be eligible for your NP certification exam. Be sure to select an accredited program; otherwise, you may not be eligible for licensure. 

Once you’ve completed the necessary educational requirements, including the clinical practicum hours, you can apply to take a national licensure exam to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. To be eligible for PMHNP licensure, you’ll need to have a valid RN license, have passed the relevant national exam and meet any other state requirements. 

Strong social skills and emotional intelligence help nurses to better understand and anticipate an individual’s reactions, allowing the nurse to respond appropriately. De-escalation techniques, for example, can help nurses manage tense and potentially volatile situations. 

Active listening is another essential skill, because it enables nurses to fully understand a patient’s concerns, validate their emotions and respond appropriately. Psychiatric nursing requires the sensitivity, for instance, to distinguish between intense emotions and psychosis so that the nurses don’t inadvertently reinforce a delusion.

Finally, building rapport is especially important, as establishing trust creates a safe space for patients to open up, which can lead to more effective care and enhanced patient outcomes.

Mental health management often requires a multimodal approach in which multiple healthcare members may be involved. Psychiatric APRNs will collaborate with different healthcare teams, including social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, primary care providers and nurses. In addition, they often involve the patient's family members and caregivers in the care plan to ensure the patient's support system is involved.