How to Become a Mental Health Nurse – Education & Career

Nursing is a booming field as aspiring professionals are earning their licenses and entering the industry in high numbers. But nurses don’t just take care of patients’ physical ailments. Many nurses also help patients with mental health conditions. These mental health nurses are just as critical as their counterparts.

However, becoming a mental health nurse takes a different route – and a little longer – than an RN degree. This guide will detail how to become a mental health nurse.

Article Navigation: What is a Mental Health Nurse? | How to Become a Mental Health Nurse | Education | Certification in Psychiatric Nursing Requires Experience and Continuing Education | What Makes a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse? | Mental Health Careers | Working as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | FAQs | Become a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

What is a Mental Health Nurse?

A mental health nurse, or a psychiatric mental health nurse, is an advanced nursing professional. They provide medical and therapeutic support to individuals with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions.

These professionals provide mental health care. Comparatively, “standard” nurses focus more on physical wellness and health care.

There are two primary types:

1. Psychiatric mental health registered nurses or PMH-RNs. These healthcare professionals provide mental health services to individuals or communities.
2. Psychiatric advanced practice registered nurses or PMH-APRNs. They are also called clinical nurse specialists or mental health nurse practitioners. These professionals offer even more advanced mental health services to those who need them.

What Does a Nurse in Mental Health Do?

Nurses in psychiatric or mental health have plenty of responsibilities. These duties include:

• Partnering with individual patients to help them achieve recovery goals
• Teaching self-care activities, especially regarding treating mental health conditions
• Conducting intake screening, triage, and even evaluation of patients
• Providing health promotion and maintenance services
• Administering and monitoring psychobiological treatments or procedures
• Practicing crisis intervention and stabilization procedures
• Coordinate patient care with healthcare providers, such as psychiatrists or doctors
• Working among interdisciplinary teams to help large communities and groups
• Engaging in rehabilitation and intervention processes for psychiatric patients
• Practicing stabilization and crisis intervention procedures
• Educating communities, families, and individual patients on good mental health practices

No matter where they work, mental health nurses do essential work and provide invaluable assistance to those overcoming mental health challenges. However, depending on one’s focus, an advanced practice nurse in psychiatric health may also have responsibilities such as:

• Providing clinical supervision for mental health patients
• Conducting in-depth or comprehensive assessments of patients
• Providing medication for both acute and chronic illnesses
• Providing psychotherapy to families, groups, couples, or individuals
• Offering integrative therapy
• Diagnosing and treating chronic or acute illnesses
• Helping patients manage their illnesses
• Performing certain procedures
• Developing policies for systems and also programs related to mental health treatment

The Difference Between a Mental Health Nurse and a Psychiatric Nurse

There isn’t a fundamental difference between psychiatric and mental health nurses in most contexts. However, some clinics or organizations may specifically use “psychiatric nurse” to refer to a certified nurse who specializes in psychiatry.

On the other hand, “mental health nurse” may refer to any nurse who assists patients with mental health conditions or illnesses. These professionals may or may not be certified in psychiatry or have other certifications.

Where Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Work?

Psychiatric mental health nurses work in various medical settings; for example, hospitals, clinics, outpatient or inpatient facilities, rehabilitation centers, etc. Also, they work at assisted living facilities.

In short, these professionals work anywhere mental health care is provided or required.

Can You Specialize Within Psychiatric Nursing?

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, yes. Psychiatric nurse practitioners have advanced certifications or credentials that qualify them to specialize in their skills, such as:

• Addiction medicine: Psychiatric nurses with an addiction medicine specialty primarily provide mental health care to those struggling with substance abuse or addiction.
• Military therapy and mental health treatments: These professionals work with veterans to help them treat PTSD and other mental health conditions.
• Forensic psychiatry: Professionals with this focus will work with law enforcement and the legal system. Often they provide testimony or findings to juries during trials.
• Geriatric psychiatry: Psychiatric nurses with this focus primarily provide care to the elderly.
• Child and adolescent psychiatry: This psychiatric nursing focuses on mental health treatments for children and adolescents.
• Psychosomatic medicine: This is also called consultation liaison psychiatry. It focuses on how mental illnesses can impact or cause physical symptoms.

How Do PMH Nurses Differ from Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Psychologists?

PMH nurses differ significantly from psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists based on their responsibilities and required education level.

• Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and therapy to patients. They are closer to traditional doctors and PMH nurses.
• Social workers may provide some mental health care services. However, they often redirect their clients or people to mental health nurses or psychiatrists. They specifically offer social services to individuals and communities by running charities, helping the poor, etc.
• Psychologists are not licensed as doctors and cannot provide therapy or prescribe medication. However, they do study the human mind in educational contexts and provide valuable research in the field.

How to Become a Mental Health Nurse

1. Earn a nursing associate degree or a BSN Degree
2. Gain Work Experience
3. Earn an Advanced Nursing Degree
4. Obtain PMHNP Certification

How Can Nurses Switch to Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing?

Essentially, registered nurses must complete another few years of education and solidify their credentials to gain the skills necessary for success in this field. Current registered nurses can progress in their careers and become psychiatric mental health nurses by:

• Earning a Master of Science in Nursing or a doctoral degree in the same field
• Earning relevant certifications and licenses to practice in their state of residence

Education

Because mental health nurses have such critical responsibilities, they require extensive education before employment. These requirements are non-negotiable and universal across the US. However, exact licensure requirements can vary from state to state.

Mental Health Nursing Degree

The first step to becoming a mental health nurse is to obtain an accredited mental health nursing degree. Thus, aspiring psychiatric nurses must become registered nurses or RNs at first.

A mental health nursing degree requires:

• Completion of an accredited BSN. A BSN often has strict entrance requirements, such as a high school diploma, prerequisite courses, and a good GPA.
• Passing the NCLEX-RN exam. This official RN licensure examination qualifies students to practice as registered nurses in their states of residence, should they pass it.

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

Then, students must earn a graduate or doctoral degree in nursing. The standard pathway is an MSN. This advanced degree qualifies students to take PMHNP tests and acquire licensure as psychiatric nurses.

Graduate degrees in nursing are not usually available in mental health nursing specifically. However, some MSN degrees may allow students a concentration or specialty. Such degrees help students prepare for their future job responsibilities more directly.

It may take six years from start to finish to earn a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in this field. MSN degree programs may be available partially online. However, no nursing degree is 100% online. That’s because every accredited and worthwhile nursing degree has a certain number of clinical practice hours required for graduation. Thus, students with online nursing degrees must visit local clinics or facilities to get those practice hours.

Psychiatric Nurse Education Requirements

To recap, aspiring psychiatric nurses must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing to qualify for a graduate degree
• Have an MSN or doctoral degree in nursing
• Complete the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses
• Complete the PMHNP test to become a registered psychiatric mental health nurse
• Acquire at least 500 practice hours, either in their programs or afterward, in a supervised context. Supervision comes from an already licensed psychiatric nurse.

Students can apply for open mental health nursing jobs only once they meet all these requirements.

Remember, practicing psychiatric nurses must then renew their licenses every five years. They can do this by retaking the certification exam. They might also combine their professional development courses with 1000 practice hours.

Postgraduate Mental Health Nursing Courses

Postgraduate mental health nursing courses cover topics that keep students up-to-date with modern mental health practices. Standard mental health nursing courses cover information such as:

• The foundations of nursing care
• The assessment and care process for mental health nursing
• Psychology and the development of the human mind
• Mental health conditions and treatments
• Professional practice principles
• Medical ethics

Every program is unique, of course. Students should investigate each graduate program’s accreditation status before enrolling.

Certification in Psychiatric Nursing Requires Experience and Continuing Education

All practicing mental health nurses must have specific certifications. These certifications prove the skills and expertise to provide sound mental health care services.

Students can acquire these certifications before or while earning a master’s degree in nursing. In addition, some psychiatric nursing positions, such as those for advanced psychiatric nurses, require additional certifications or continuing education credits.

Those who wish to become psychiatric nurses should get as many certifications as possible. Credentials will improve their chances of being hired at competitive facilities and bolster their resumes.

Mental Health Nurse Certification

The primary mental health nurse certification is the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification or PMHNP-BC. This certificate is valid for five years; then, you must renew it.

It currently costs $395 for students who aren’t members of the American Nurses Association or other associations. American Nurses Association members only have to pay $295.

Nonetheless, to earn this certification, one must have an active RN license or the international equivalent. They must also have a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited psychiatric mental health NP program. Then students must get 500 supervised clinical hours in said program, plus complete prerequisite courses. Clinical training in at least two separate psychotherapeutic treatment facilities or modalities is also required.

Once an individual has this certificate, they can pursue additional certificates and find employment at mental health treatment facilities.

Psychiatric Nurse Certification

Those who wish to become psychiatric nurses can alternatively pursue Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certification–otherwise known as RN-BC certification. RN-BC stands for registered nurse board-certified. It costs $395 by default unless one is a relevant American nursing association member. Requirements include:

• Have a current RN license
• Complete 2000 hours of clinical practice minimum in mental health nursing over the last three years
• Have two years of full-time experience as an RN
• Complete at least 30 CE or continuing education hours in mental health nursing over the last three years

CNA Mental Health Certification

The American Red Cross awards the CNA or Certified Nurse Assistant credential. It’s common among psychiatric nursing assistant students.

This certification proves competency in mental health nursing practices. In addition, it can help graduates find employment post-college much more quickly. It requires two years of work experience and annual renewal. Furthermore, it requires that students pass a dedicated exam administered by the Red Cross.

What Makes a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse?

The best psychiatric mental health nurses are uniquely qualified and empathetic individuals. They balance empathetic and people-focused skills with scientific and healthcare skills to do the best job. In other words, they provide the best health care to their patients.

Mental Health Nurse and PMHNP Skills

Ideally, these professionals will have skills such as:

• High patient sensitivity and empathy
• High compassion for their patience and fellow healthcare providers
• Strong attention to detail; they must often administer treatments or therapies exactly as other healthcare professionals specify
• Good time management skills. These professionals often have to juggle lots of responsibilities simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication skills. They need to work in large teams and communicate clearly with their patients.
• Good memories. Psychiatric nurse practitioners must memorize many different elements of mental health care. For example, what drugs to use, treatment approaches, etc.

Mental Health Careers

Graduates of mental health nurse programs have a few different careers open to them.

Mental Health Nurse Jobs

Mental health nurses work as RNs in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and other contexts. They assist psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in caring for, diagnosing, and treating their patients.

Alternatively, these professionals can earn additional certification and become psychiatric nurse practitioners. Like standard nurse practitioners, these professionals coordinate much more patient care. In addition, they can provide both primary and specialty healthcare when needed.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners have additional responsibilities and earn more money as a result. They must often earn additional certifications to be competitive applicants for open positions.

How Much Do Mental Health Nurses Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that standard registered nurses earn an average salary of $77,600 annually. This salary is higher than the national average. Furthermore, registered nurses enjoy excellent career stability and flexibility. Professionals can expect a 9% increase in opportunities over the next decade.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners earn much more, according to the BLS. They earn $123,780 per year on average. This field is snowballing, projected at 45% over the next decade. Therefore, graduates with psychiatric nurse certificates should have no trouble finding open positions to fill. However, jobs vary geographically and might require relocation.

Working as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Those looking to enter the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner field should be aware of several key factors. These factors can determine whether this field is a good choice for one’s career goals or educational aspirations:

1. Nursing Shortage Affect on Psychiatric Nursing

To begin with, psychiatric nursing is just as affected by the overall nursing shortage in the industry. The nursing shortage primarily comes from a lack of educators, inequitable workforce distribution, high turnover, etc.

However, this could be beneficial for aspiring psychiatric nurse practitioners. It means there is a large number of open positions post-graduation.

2. PMH-APRN Role is Growing in Mental Health Care

The PMH-APRN role is becoming more prominent and vital overall. Mental health care professionals are needed as mental health care diagnoses and issues rise.

Community-Based Psychiatric Nursing Generally Has More Predictable Hours

Those with the proper certificates and degrees can choose between community-based or hospital-based psychiatric nursing environments.

Generally, community-based psychiatric nursing has more predictable hours. These professionals work with communities and focus on large-scale problems. They often work with big teams and benefit from a more stable work schedule.

Hospital-Based Psychiatric Nursing May Have Less Predictable Hours

In contrast, hospital-based psychiatric nurses may find their work schedules less predictable. They are on call more often and generally work with individuals or small groups of people.

Those who wish to become mental health nurses should consider what they want from their professional lives and what kind of schedules they want to cultivate. This information can impact where they should apply for open positions.

FAQs

What does a nurse in mental health do?

A nurse in mental health provides mental health care services to individuals, groups, and communities. They work in healthcare locations such as rehabilitation facilities, clinics, medical centers, etc.

Is psych nursing hard?

It can be. Psych nursing is an in-depth and constantly evolving field. Nurses must give each day their all and provide their full attention to every patient.

What qualities do you need to be a mental health nurse?

Good mental health nurses need to have strong attention to detail. They also require excellent communication skills and empathy. In addition, they must understand their patients. Finally, they need a solid medical and nursing background to provide mental health care services.

How to become a psychiatric nurse with a bachelor’s in psychology

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you must still obtain a BSN. Then once you are an RN, complete a certain number of practical experience hours, and receive certification. Accordingly, earn a master’s degree in nursing, more certification, and acquire licensure to practice in your state.

How long does it take to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

From start to finish, it takes anywhere from 6 to 8 years to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. However, if you have educational credentials or nursing experience, it takes less time to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Become a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Ultimately, you can become a mental health nurse with the right education and mindset. You can do it with a dedication to the years of training it takes to reach this goal! For more information, including online BSN degrees, online MSN degrees, and other resources, check out more at GetEducated.com.