By: Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC

Part One What is a Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), also known as psychiatric nurse practitioners, are nurse practitioners who specialize in mental health treatment. They help patients suffering from mental illnesses, disorders, or substance abuse problems by assessing, diagnosing, and providing treatment plans to them. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, what they do, the average psychiatric nurse practitioner's salary, and more. 

Part Two What Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Do?

PMHNPs take care of patients suffering from a variety of mental illnesses and disorders. Psychiatric nurse practitioner duties will vary based on where they work, but they often  include: 

1. Diagnosing and treating common acute psychiatric problems, illnesses, and crises
2. Psychopharmacologic management in collaboration with a psychiatrist
3. Providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy
4. Caring for and counseling clients with commonly identified chronic psychiatric conditions
5. Coordinating and integrating multidisciplinary services for clients with complex psychiatric problems
6. Monitoring common healthcare problems and referring to specialized medical treatment as needed
7. Providing comprehensive family psychiatric-mental health education
8. Performing or recommending age-appropriate screening procedures
9. Promoting wellness-oriented self-care
10. Being an advocate for family psychiatric-mental health clients and their families

Illnesses and Disorders that Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Treat

Psychiatric nurse practitioners treat a wide variety of mental illnesses and disorders, including:

1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Bipolar, manic-depressive states
4. Eating disorders
5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
6. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
7. Substance abuse 
8. Panic Disorders
9. Dementia
10. Autism Spectrum Disorder 
11. Schizophrenia
12. Personality disorders
13. Trauma, PTSD, adjustment disorders

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Part Three How to Become a Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner 

To become a psychiatric nurse Practitioner, you’ll need to complete the following steps. 

Step 1: Attend Nursing School

You’ll need to earn either an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in order to take the first steps to becoming a registered nurse. ADN-prepared nurses will need to take the additional step of either completing their BSN degree or entering into an accelerated RN to MSN program, which will let them earn their BSN and MSN at the same time.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN

Become a Registered Nurse by passing the NCLEX examination.

Step 3: Gain Experience or Continue Your Education

Nurses can choose to gain some nursing experience before going back to school or go directly into an MSN program, depending on their unique situation. Most NP programs will require a minimum of TWO years of relevant work experience.

Step 4: Graduate With Your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree From an Accredited Nursing Program

Enter into an MSN/NP program that offers a path to becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. You can select from several in-person or online PMHNP programs nationwide to suit your specific needs.

If you already have a nurse practitioner degree, you can attend a PMHNP certificate program instead. These programs allow NPs to further specialize in mental health. Check out our guide to learn more about the shortest online PMHNP certificate programs.

Step 5: Become Certified

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC).

Step 6: Get a Job as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Now you’re ready to start working as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner!

Part Four PMHNP Jobs

Due to high demand in several sectors, becoming a PMHNP is one of the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get into. They can work in several environments, including:

1. Academia
2. Community Mental Health Centers (urban and rural)
3. Consulting with businesses and communities
4. Correctional Facilities
5. Domestic Violence Shelters
6. Government Agency
7. Home Health Agencies
8. Hospitals
9. In-patient Psychiatric Facilities
10. Primary Healthcare Clinics
11. Private Psychiatric Practices
12. Psychopharmacology Clinic
13. Psychiatric Consult Services
14. Public health agencies
15. Residential Substance Abuse Facilities
16. Schools
17. State Psychiatric Facilities
18. Student Health Clinics
19. Urban Nurse-Managed Clinic
20. Veterans Administration Psychiatric Facilities

Part Five Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

As with other types of nurse practitioners, Psychiatric NPS can expect to earn salaries on the higher end of the spectrum. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners is $121,610 per year as of May 2022.

However, the BLS does not differentiate between different types of Nurse Practitioners. But, according to Indeed, the average psychiatric nurse practitioner salary is $139,261.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary by Years of Experience

Psychiatric NPs can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience. Per Payscale.com, this is how much people are earning at different levels of experience in 2022: 

1. Less than 1 years of experience earn an average salary of $105,794
2. 1-4 years of experience earn an average salary of $118,742
3. 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $121,830
4. 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $120,601

Highest Paying Cities for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

In 2022, the highest-paying cities for Psychiatric NPs, according to Indeed, are:

1. New York, NY - $161,313
2. San Diego, CA - $148,806
3. Philadelphia, PA - $146,897
4. San Angelo, TX - $121,099

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Job Benefits

Regardless of workplace setting, full-time and part-time nurses enjoy similar benefits. While actual benefits may vary depending on the institution, most include the following:

1. Health insurance
2. Certification Reimbursement      
3. Retirement Options
4. Holiday Pay
5. Family Leave of Absence
6. Maternity Leave
7. Dental Insurance
8. Dependent health insurance coverage
9. Life Insurance
10. Paid time off
11. Relocation assistance
12. Childcare
13. Bereavement leave       
14. Vision Insurance        
15. Discounts on extracurricular activities      
16. Continuing Education Reimbursement
17. Relocation packages
18. Attendance at nursing conferences

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Part Six Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

We’ve rounded up some of the top Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs, also called Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) programs. Below are five of the top programs available for getting your PMHNP education. Check out our article on the Top Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs for the full list and more information. 

1. 1. University of Pennsylvania
2. 2. Rush University
3. 3. University of Washington
4. 4. University of California – San Francisco
5. 5. Yale University

Part Seven PMHNP Continuing Education Requirements

PMHNP CEU hours will vary based on the state of licensure. For each state an individual is licensed, CEU hours will be required. Generally, NPs are required a minimum of 75 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty area (psychiatric nursing).

Additionally, even though they are functioning in an APRN role, they must maintain their RN certification.  In order for an individual to renew their RN license, they will need to fill out an application, complete a specific number of CEU hours, and pay a nominal fee. Each state has specific requirements, and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal.

A detailed look at Continuing Nurse Education hours can be found here. 

Part Eight Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for NPs is excellent. From 2022 to 2032 there is predicted to be a 38% growth in employment for NPs, which is MUCH faster than the average for all occupations.  

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners estimates that there are approximately 15,275 or 4.7% NPs certified in psychiatric mental health. As mental health disorders continue to rise in the United States, Psychiatric Mental Health NPs continue to be needed. 

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Part Nine Resources

1. Top Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
2. How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse
3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide 

Part Ten Other Nurse Practitioner Specialties

1. General Nurse Practitioner
2. Family Nurse Practitioner
3. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
4. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
5. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
6. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
7. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
8. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
9. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
10. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
11. Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Part Eleven FAQs

• How long does it take to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

  • There are numerous steps to becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health NP. Typically, from the start of undergraduate education to the completion of an Advanced Practice NP degree, an individual can expect it to take a minimum of 10 years. Earning a BSN is roughly four years from start to finish. Gaining relevant bedside experience is essential prior to starting a nurse practitioner program. Most programs want a minimum of two years of experience. An NP program typically takes three years to complete. 

• What can you do as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

  • Psychiatric NPs assess and diagnose patients suffering from mental illnesses, disorders, and substance abuse problems. They are involved in psychotherapy, can prescribe medication, educate patients and families about their diagnosis, and manage their treatment plans. PMHNP can expect to treat patients suffering from the following conditions: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders. 

• How much do Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners make?

  • According to Indeed, the average Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner salary is $139,261 per year.

• What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

  • A psychiatric nurse practitioner vs psychiatrist comparison reveals major differences in education, training, and title. Psychiatrists are physicians who attended medical school and a psychiatry fellowship. PMHNPs are APRNs who completed a graduate nursing program.