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What Does a Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Do?

Psychiatric or mental health nurses are registered nurses who provide care to those who have acute- or chronic-mental illnesses such as psychoses, neuroses, and personality and mood disorders. There are typically two levels of psychiatric or mental health nursing--basic and advanced.

At the basic level, nurses work with patients and their families to evaluate mental health and develop, execute, and evaluate care plans. Advanced-level psychiatric or mental health nurses perform similar duties as those at the basic level, but earn master's degrees in psychiatric-mental health nursing and expand their role to diagnosing and treating psychiatric illnesses.

Psychiatric or mental health nurses may work in hospitals, mental health agencies, schools, correction facilities, private offices, or community- or home-based programs.

Education & Training Required to Become a Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse

All psychiatric or mental health nurses must first earn a degree as a registered nurse (RN) through an accredited online degree program, two- or four-year college, or diploma program. After becoming an RN, with the required clinical experience, you can practice at the basic level. If you pursue further education and earn a master's degree or doctorate, you can become an advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) in psychiatric or mental health nursing. Certification is required at all levels.

Typical Characteristics of a Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse

As a psychiatric or mental health nurse, you may encounter patients who are combative, uncooperative, difficult or dangerous, therefore a great deal of emotional and physical stamina is necessary. The ability to work well in a team setting and with members of all medical disciplines is also a desired characteristic of a psychiatric or mental health nurse.

High Demand for Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurses

Employment of registered nurses, who earn an median yearly salary of $62,450, is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, and mental health nurses should see job growth as well. One in four adults in the United States suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and about one in 17 have a serious mental illness. Because there is less stigma in society surrounding mental illness, more people are seeking treatment, increasing the need for psychiatric or mental health nurses.