Psychiatry and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Career
What You Do in This Career?
Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental-Health Nurse Practitioners work with all age groups, families, and individuals to diagnose, provide therapy, and prescribe psychiatric medication to treat mental and medical disorders, as well as substance abuse problems. They can provide emergency psychiatric services, treatment plans, and perform psychosocial and physical assessments of their patients.
In addition to knowing which medications to use, psychiatric nurse practitioners must also educate their patients on lifestyle changes that would benefit their mental states or help with substance abuse recovery. Psychiatric nurse practitioners must also be aware of how nutrition and exercise affect the body and mind in order to provide the most comprehensive mental health care.
Salary and Career Information
- Salary: Averages range between $76,546 and $112,515 per year for PMHNPs.
- PMHNP Requirements: To practice as a PMHNP you must be a licensed RN, complete a master’s or doctorate degree with a specialization in psychiatric/mental health, and pass the National Board certification. You can then choose to further specialize in child psychiatry, women’s psychiatry, or substance abuse.
- Work Environment: PMHNP can find employment at VA hospitals, prisons, high-risk pregnancy clinics, schools, substance abuse centers, recovery programs, sleep disorder clinics, and trauma services, as well as psychiatric wards of hospitals and private offices.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect in This Program?
PMHNPs learn how to provide services to patients experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with substance abuse. Therefore, programs prepare students to provide a wide range of mental health services and treatment options.
Coursework for the PMHNP programs will likely include classes in psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, outpatient and inpatient mental health services, and even jail health services. Some programs allow students to further specialize in family or child mental health nursing.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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South University — South University has built a reputation on class flexibility and affordability. Their MSN program for nurse practitioners is no exception. This program is ideal for registered nurses who may be too busy with work for full-time campus classes, but looking for professional advancement in their respective careers by earning an online degree. |
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