What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP)

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that also treats a patient’s mental health. So, if you are interested in a career as a mental health professional, you likely have questions about nursing jobs.

What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

The reality is there are several types of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners working in the healthcare industry in the United States. So, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner considered a mental health practitioner? A mental health professional is any health care practitioner who provides services to others with the primary purpose of treating a mental disorder or also improving the patient’s mental health. Nursing mental health professionals fall within the categories of mental health professionals and also psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners also include midwives and anesthetists, among others.

What is a Mental Health Professional’s Job Description?

What is a mental health nurse practitioner, and also how does it differ from a psych mental health nurse practitioner? As you consider your career options in the mental health industry, it is also essential to understand what it is to be a mental health professional. One of the easiest ways to discover this information is to read a psychiatric nurse practitioner’s description in an online job advertisement.

Furthermore, it is essential to understand what it is like to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. As a result, you can make a well-informed, educated decision about your education and career plans. And, the best way to find the answers you need to make an informed decision is to continue to ask questions.

What are the Education & Certification Requirements of Mental Health Professionals?

What is it like to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner, compared to a different nurse practitioner specialization? A mental health professional who wishes to pursue their psychiatric nurse practitioner degree must also meet the psychiatric nurse education requirements of the degree program. In addition, they must complete any psychiatric nurse practitioner education requirements set forth by the state in which the nursing professional operates.

First, the psychiatric nurse education requirements mandate a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner hold a valid Registered Nursing (RN) license. However, it is noted that most employers prefer nursing professionals who have completed a four-year baccalaureate-level nursing program. Then, through a psychiatric nurse practitioner’s education, mental health professionals prepare for their careers by training in various therapies. These may include the prescribing of medications in certain jurisdictions. Furthermore, Psychiatric nurse practitioners are recognized as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). So, this means that they must complete their graduate nursing degree, required clinical practicums, and additional education and training in their specialization. In addition, certifications for psychiatric nurse practitioners are from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

What does a Mental Health Professional Earn?

As you continue to investigate a career as a mental health professional, it remains essential also to ask relevant salary questions. So, what is the average salary of a psychiatric nurse practitioner? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for all mental health professionals, including Nurse Practitioners, is $117,670. Thus, the hourly pay for psychiatric nurse practitioners is $56.57.

In addition, the impressive psychology nurse practitioner salary is matched by an even more remarkable job growth outlook of 45%. This growth is more than five times the national average. Furthermore, psych nurse practitioners can earn even more if they have a midwife or anesthetic specialty.

Salary by State

The following tables indicate various statistics regarding the salary of psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Highest Salary by State	Salary
California	$138,660
Washington	$126,920
Hawaii	$123,000

BLS

Salary by City

More specifically, the range for a salary for psychiatric NP begins at around $84,120 per year, at the low end. However, the highest earners are at $194,900 per year. In addition, the median psychology nurse practitioner salary is $117,670, which translates to a median hourly psychology nurse practitioner salary of $53.77.