A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is a specialized healthcare role nurse practitioners can fulfill with advanced training and experience. If you want to know how to become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, learn more about the nuances and requirements of this role.
What Is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are specially trained mental health practitioners who can provide cognitive care to patients of all ages. They help patients through assessment, diagnosis, education and treatment of mental ailments. But what does a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner do exactly? They regularly1:
- Assess and diagnose patients to better understand their mental well-being. psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners perform comprehensive health assessments to learn about a patient’s routine behaviors, family health history and psychiatric history.
- Create treatment plans to help address a patient’s psychiatric needs. Treatment plans often assess patient medications, their psychiatric history and any mental health symptoms that a patient may be exhibiting.
- Prescribe medication to help address specific symptoms or conditions and modify prescriptions as needed.
- Provide therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Promote educational tools and information to improve a patient’s overall understanding of mental health and self-care principles.
There is a growing demand for mental health practitioners in the United States, which allows psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to work in various settings. They can assume positions at clinics, hospitals and recovery centers once they’ve gained the proper experience.
Five Steps To Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners need extensive medical training, psychiatric knowledge and hands-on experience to excel in their roles. The following six steps offer a general overview of how to become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).2
1. Become a Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse is the first step toward becoming a PMHNP. There are multiple options to consider when completing this step. Some options may include3:
- With a high school diploma or GED, you may be eligible to join an Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) program, which normally takes 2 years to complete. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.
- A high school diploma or GED also lets you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)—a 4 year degree that’s also a requirement for many levels of nursing. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.
- Institutions like USAHS also provide RN to MSN programs, which help you gain an MSN within 10 to 1 1 trimesters. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
You must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or the NCLEX-RN, to become a fully realized registered nurse. The number of questions on the exam varies between 75 and 265, and it’s exclusively a pass-or-fail test. Students can retake the NCLEX-RN exam up to eight times a year, though there is a 45-day wait period between each attempt.
It’s also vital to gain hands on experience once you earn your RN license. You can gain experience by working at hospitals, securing an internship and earning a first-aid certification.
3. Earn Your MSN or DNP
Earning a graduate degree is the next step to becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are great choices that fulfill different needs. The DNP prepares nurses for leadership roles in healthcare, and programs take 3–5 years to complete. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors. The MSN with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role specialty is more conducive for nurses who wish to focus on clinical work, and programs typically take three to 3.7 years to complete. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a 9–11-trimester MSN program with a PMHMP-PC role specialty and depending on whether you enter as an RN or BSN.
USAHS also offers a 7–12-trimester DNP program for both in-person and online learning opportunities. *The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a 9-11-trimester MSN program with a PMHMP-PC role specialty and depending on whether you enter as an RN or BSN. USAHS offers a DNP program for both in-person and online learning opportunities.
4. Earn Your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practioner Certification
Next, nursing students must become certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. Once you’ve earned your graduate degree and 500 hours of clinical experience, you can take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
USAHS offers a robust PMHNP program with two entry ways and a streamlined post-graduate nursing certificate program:
- RN to MSN entry: 64 credit hours and 640 practicum contact hours
- BSN to MSN entry: 55 credit hours + 630 practicum contact hours
- Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate: 28-37 credit hours + 585 practicum contact hours
5. Apply for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Once certified, you can apply for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner jobs. Find jobs by creating profiles on healthcare career job boards. Those who previously interned or volunteered at certain facilities may be able to ask for recommendations from former colleagues. Practicing for interviews can also help you stay ahead of the curve.
Benefits of Being a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Some benefits of taking on this role include:
- Helping diverse communities: Medical professionals have the opportunity to help people from all walks of life and provide mental health care to many communities. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners can positively impact countless patients throughout their careers.
- Career opportunities: Working as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is a fantastic way to gain experience and provide psychiatric care in a clinical setting.
- Job security and competitive pay: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment for nurse practitioners will grow by 40% between 2021 and 2031. The median hourly wage for this role is also around $59.51.4
Start Your Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Career With USAHS
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners fulfill a vital role and provide mental health care to diverse groups of patients. This role requires extensive academic and professional experience. USAHS offers a robust selection of nursing programs for aspiring nurse practitioners. Enrollment advisors are always available to help you find resources and courses.
Sources:
- Nurse Journal, “How to Become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner”, Nurse Journal Staff, updated November 8, 2022, https://nursejournal.org/careers/psychiatric-nurse/how-to-become/
- Nursing License Map, “How to Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)”, Nursing License Map, https://nursinglicensemap.com/advanced-practice-nursing/nurse-practitioner/psychiatric-and-mental-health-nurse-practitioner-pmhnp/
- Nurse.org, “How to Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner”, Nurse.org, https://nurse.org/resources/psychiatric-nurse-practitioner/
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
