How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 3 Steps
The nursing profession is comprised of dedicated individuals who recognize the significance of compassion and empathy for their patients. Psychiatric nurse practitioners specifically work with a particularly vulnerable population that requires increased patience and understanding.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are specialized nurse practitioners (NPs) focusing on mental health issues. They assist patients grappling with mental disorders and illnesses, and they can also help individuals dealing with substance abuse challenges.
In this article, you will learn about:
Who is a psychiatric nurse practitioner? What are the duties of psychiatric nurse practitioners? Where do they work? What related fields exist? How can one become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in three steps? What additional requirements must be met? What are the career outlook and salary for psychiatric nurse practitioners?
What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
In the U.S., there are over 355,000 nurse practitioners, with approximately 4.7% being psychiatric nurse practitioners. They usually treat patients facing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse disorders.
In various states, they have the authority to prescribe medications and can operate independently.
Key qualities of an effective psychiatric nurse practitioner
Empathy and compassion are vital traits for a successful psychiatric nurse practitioner. Patients may be experiencing mental health problems or recovering from substance use, necessitating compassionate care.
Other important characteristics include:
Strong problem-solving skills to pinpoint risk factors influencing patient outcomes. Excellent analytical abilities to review patient data and create tailored treatment plans.
What tasks do psychiatric nurse practitioners perform?
Psychiatric nurse practitioners have a multitude of responsibilities throughout their day, embodying roles of both psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners.
Daily activities can differ based on the work environment.
A day in the life of a psychiatric nurse practitioner
A typical day might involve:
Diagnosing and managing severe psychiatric crises and disorders. Providing individual, group, and family therapy. Counseling patients with mental health challenges. Collaborating with other professionals to support individuals with complicated psychiatric conditions. Evaluating healthcare issues and making referrals to specialists if needed. Teaching patients about self-care techniques.
Common conditions managed by psychiatric nurse practitioners
Psychiatric nurses address mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. Some frequent conditions encountered in this position include:
Addiction, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, panic disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia, and trauma.
Where do psychiatric nurse practitioners work?
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners practice in various settings, including:
Outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, private mental health practices, hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, trauma centers, and correctional facilities.
Telehealth options have also emerged, allowing psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) to conduct virtual appointments, providing them with increased flexibility. This method has grown significantly in popularity.
What related fields are there?
A closely associated field is case management nursing. Sometimes referred to as Medical and Health Services Managers, these professionals manage, coordinate, and organize activities for mental health service providers.
Case management nurses may work in hospitals, nursing homes, or group practices concentrating on mental health.
How to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in three steps?
Step 1 – Become a registered nurse
An active RN license is required to pursue a career as a psychiatric NP. To obtain this license, you need to take two primary steps:
First, acquire a nursing degree. Then, pass the NCLEX-RN examination.
Earn a nursing degree
Prospective RNs can choose to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Completing an ADN typically takes 18-24 months at a community college, while a BSN generally requires four years at a college or university for full-time students.
Should you already possess an ADN and aim for a BSN, consider enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program to expedite your education.
Finalizing your ADN or BSN enables you to become an RN. However, advancing to nurse practitioner necessitates further education.
Every psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is required to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. If you have completed a BSN, you can directly apply to an MSN program.
For those with just an ADN, an RN-to-MSN bridge program is essential, allowing you to earn a BSN while simultaneously obtaining your MSN. There is also a BSN-to-MSN option.
Pass the NCLEX examination
Following your nursing degree, you are required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to secure your RN license. This examination is adaptive; the difficulty of questions adjusts according to your proficiency. A higher number of correct answers leads to more challenging questions.
If your first attempt at the NCLEX is unsuccessful, you are allowed to retake it after a waiting period of 45 days.
Step 2: Gain experience
After obtaining your RN license, seek opportunities to acquire experience in the mental health sector, including hospitals and private facilities where mental health services are offered. Some programs may require psychiatric experience prior to applying for the MSN degree.
Helpful skills and experience
Certain RN roles offer more advantageous experiences for aspiring psychiatric NPs.
Working as a psychiatric nurse will provide you with essential practice with individuals experiencing mental illnesses, helping determine if this specialty aligns with your skills.
Transitioning to psychiatric nurse practitioner
If you are currently an RN seeking new challenges, you can transition to a psychiatric nurse practitioner role. This requires obtaining an advanced nursing degree, such as an MSN or DNP, along with completing continuing education focused on mental health nursing.
Step 3 – Attain certifications
To finalize your journey, you must achieve the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC).
Certification eligibility requirements include:
Holding a current RN license in the U.S. Earning a master’s degree or higher from an accredited psychiatric-mental health nursing program, accumulating at least 500 clinical hours. Completing graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology. Undergoing clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic modalities. Gaining knowledge in health promotion and differential diagnosis content.
What additional requirements are there for psychiatric nurse practitioners?
After passing the certification exam, results and transcripts must be submitted to the state nursing board to receive your psychiatric nurse practitioner license.
In states permitting prescriptive authority, psychiatric NPs need to apply for a license granting them the ability to prescribe medications. Some states may require them to function under supervision for prescribing.
Salary and job outlook
The earnings of psychiatric nurse practitioners vary based on factors such as experience, education, and geographic location, with the average annual salary standing at $118,040. Increased demand for NPs across all specialties is expected to rise by 40% from 2021 to 2031, necessitating an additional 118,600 NPs in the U.S. over the coming decade.
Job satisfaction
According to U.S. News & World Report, nurse practitioners rank as the top healthcare job in their Best Jobs report, reflecting high potential for career advancement within nursing.
Next steps
As a psychiatric NP, numerous career advancement opportunities are available, including acquiring a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree through various bridge programs: BSN-to-DNP, RN-to-DNP, or MSN-to-DNP. DNP graduates possess extensive scientific knowledge that can significantly improve patient outcomes within mental health service organizations while offering increased autonomy to help mitigate shortages of mental health providers.
