How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse
As mental health and substance abuse issues continue to rise — with almost 25% of adults 18 and older experiencing a mental illness — there’s an increasing demand for psychiatric nurses. Becoming a psych nurse is like taking a roller coaster ride through the human mind — exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. These jobs also rank among the happiest nursing jobs.
In this role, you’ll be part mediator, part caregiver, part therapist, and part cheerleader. If this sparks your interest, read on to find out how to become a psychiatric nurse, plus the necessary training, job duties, psychiatric nurse certification, and more for this role.
What Is a Psych Nurse?
A psychiatric nurse is a healthcare professional who is trained to provide specialized care to individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
In addition to traditional nursing responsibilities — such as administering medication and educating patients — psych nurses need to have a good grasp of legal matters. Some patients are admitted involuntarily, and others have legal guardians since they can’t make decisions on their own due to their mental health issues. Knowing how to advocate for your patients’ rights in these situations is absolutely essential.
What Does a Psychiatric Nurse Do?
A significant distinction in psychiatric nursing is that it often doesn’t involve traditional bedside care. In psychiatric facilities, you won’t typically be assigned to a small group of patients; instead, you may be responsible for all the patients on the floor.
Depending on the facility’s patient load, responsibilities are often divided among two or three nurses. One nurse may focus on charting and admissions, while others handle tasks like medication administration and blood draws. This collaborative approach allows for comprehensive care in a unique setting.
A psych nurse takes on a diverse role in mental health care, with key responsibilities including:
- Performing assessments: They evaluate patients to gain insights into their mental and emotional well-being, including routine screening for signs of suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
- Managing medications: They are responsible for administering psychiatric medications and vigilantly monitoring for possible adverse reactions, such as extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia.
- Ordering tests: In some cases, they may need to perform regular blood draws, especially for medications like lithium, a common anti-bipolar agent with a narrow therapeutic range that requires frequent monitoring.
- Advocating for patients’ rights: They must be aware of relevant mental health laws and ethical standards, especially when dealing with patients under involuntary commitment or guardianship.
- Intervening in crisis: They are trained to handle and de-escalate crisis situations, ensuring the safety of patients and those around them.
- Conducting research: They may be involved in research projects to contribute to the advancement of mental health treatment.
While many aspects of psychiatric nursing overlap with other nursing roles, there are some unique responsibilities:
- Implementing suicide precautions: It is required to ask patients multiple times a day if they’re feeling like they want to harm themselves. If someone says yes, constant one-on-one monitoring is implemented.
- Administering restraints: Psychiatric facilities have specific protocols for patients who pose a danger to themselves or others. In cases where verbal de-escalation is ineffective, chemical restraints may be administered to help patients calm down.
- Handling withdrawals: Patients going through withdrawal from alcohol or certain drugs are at risk of seizures. Strict precautions are maintained to manage and monitor patients during this critical period.
- Assisting during withdrawal emergencies: Some patients may go through delirium tremens, which involves severe shaking, heavy sweating, and hallucinations. It’s a life-threatening emergency, and knowing how to deal with such emergencies is an important part of psychiatric nursing.
How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse
Becoming a psych nurse involves several key steps, including schooling, licensure, and optional psychiatric nurse certification:
1. Get a Nursing Degree
Psychiatric nurse schooling typically starts with a solid foundation in general nursing education, whether through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree program (BSN).
2. Obtain Nursing Licensure
After completing your nursing education, you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
3. Gain Clinical Experience
Get experience at a psychiatric facility — it’s key to building your clinical skills. Remember, not all of these facilities hire new nurses, so you may consider starting your journey by acquiring general healthcare experience, such as med-surg nursing or progressive care, before diving into the psychiatric field.
4. Pursue a Psychiatric Nurse Certification
Obtain a PMH certification through organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). What is PMH? It’s the abbreviation for Psychiatric-Mental Health in the nursing field — a specialized certification available for psychiatric nurses with over two years of experience. Then, you’re ready to optimize your psychiatric nurse resume and search for a job.
You can pursue additional education and certification to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
Where Can Psych Nurses Work?
Psychiatric nursing opens the door to a world of possibilities. You might find yourself in hospitals, prisons, addiction recovery centers, and more. There are also remote nursing jobs available in this field. With so many opportunities out there, here are some ideas to spark your interest:
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- General hospitals’ psychiatric units
- Community mental health centers
- Correctional facilities
- Substance abuse clinics
- Eating disorder recovery centers
- Research institutions
- Crisis hotlines
View the latest psych nurse jobs to see what other types of workplaces are hiring.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychiatric Nurse?
Overall, becoming a psychiatric RN can take two to four years, depending on your chosen educational path. The quickest way to become a nurse is by pursuing a two-year associate degree in nursing, followed by gaining one to two years of clinical experience as an RN. However, it can take longer if you decide to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing and earn psychiatric nurse certification.
How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make?
In the U.S., the average psych nurse salary is about $84,400 per year, but keep in mind that your income can vary quite a bit. It all boils down to your education, certifications, skills, where you’re located, and the time you’ve spent in the profession.
If you are a new graduate nurse and are open to relocation, here are five states with some of the highest nurse salaries:
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatric Nursing
What challenges do psychiatric nurses face?
Psych nurses face unique challenges, including managing unpredictable patient behaviors, addressing the stigma surrounding mental health, and ensuring the safety of both patients and themselves. They must also stay current with evolving mental health treatments and navigate complex legal and ethical considerations when working with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Is it dangerous to work in mental health institutions?
Working as a psych nurse can have its moments of unpredictability, but psychiatric facilities prioritize safety. They often have security measures in place, conduct staff training for de-escalation techniques, and maintain a teamwork approach to manage any potential risks.
What is the difference between a mental health nurse vs. psychiatric nurse?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, there can be subtle distinctions. Psych nurses specialize in the care of individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Mental health nurses have a more comprehensive approach, addressing a wider spectrum of mental health concerns — not necessarily those requiring a diagnosis.
How do psychiatric nurses handle crisis situations?
Psych nurses handle mental health emergencies through:
- De-escalation training: They use communication and therapeutic techniques to calm and diffuse tense situations. Many psychiatric nurses are trained through the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
- Emergency treatment orders (ETO): When verbal de-escalation isn’t effective, ETOs, or chemical restraints, may be used under strict protocols to ensure safety.
- Restraints: In situations where a patient poses a danger to themselves or others, psych nurses may employ restraints as a last resort.
- Codes: Psychiatric facilities have specific codes and protocols for various emergency situations, ensuring a swift and coordinated response to maintain safety.
What skills are essential for a psychiatric RN?
Essential soft skills for a nurse in a psychiatric setting include:
- Therapeutic communication
- Active listening
- De-escalation
- Empathy and compassion
- Cultural sensitivity
- Ability to set boundaries
- Legal and ethical understanding
- Self-care
Ready to Explore Psychiatric Nurse Jobs?
Ready to dive into the world of psych nursing? Let us help you find a great job match. IntelyCare can hook you up with personalized nursing job postings so you can take your first step into a new professional ward today.