Overview: Psych Nurse Jobs
As a psychiatric nurse, you’re likely plenty familiar with the prevalence of mental health issues in this country:
- An estimated 1 in 5 adults have some type of mental illness.
- An estimated 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental disorder.
- An estimated 6% of adults have had a serious mental illness.
If you’re looking for psych nurse jobs, there are opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and certified medical assistants (CMAs). Start searching IntelyCare today for full-time, part-time,contract,temporary, or per diem openings.
Psych Nurse Education and Skills
The path to become a psychiatric nurse starts with completing either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an approved program. An ADN takes around two years to complete, and a BSN takes around four years. You’ll then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license. If you want to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, you’ll have to complete further educational and licensing requirements. However, you can begin work sooner as a CNA or LPN/LVN.
After you have two years of RN experience under your belt, consider earning Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) certification to demonstrate your competency in this specialty area. Nurse practitioners have the option to obtain PMHNP-BC certification.
Aside from clinical training, having a compassionate and caring nature is crucial when working with patients who have behavioral health issues. For more insight into what an employer might be seeking in a candidate, check out this sample psychiatric nurse job template. You could also check out the jobs in psychiatric nursing that correspond to your license:
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) jobs
- Psychiatric RN jobs
- Psychiatric LPN jobs
- Psychiatric LVN jobs
- Psychiatric CNA jobs
- Psychiatric medical assistant jobs
Resume and Cover Letter for Psych Nursing Jobs
To stay one step ahead of the competition, make sure to customize your psych nurse resume to the job postings to which you plan on applying. For instance, if the posting says the ideal candidate “takes a caring and holistic approach to reach positive patient outcomes,” include that phrase in your resume.
In your cover letter, provide specific examples of how you cared for patients and focused not only on their physical ailments but also on their emotional and mental well-being. Doing this shows the employer that your skills are aligned with the demands of the role.
Interviewing for Psychiatric Nurse Jobs
It’s important to make a great first impression when you interview for psychiatric nursing jobs. A poised and professional demeanor is a must. To help calm any nerves you might have, take the time to review typical psychiatric nurse interview questions so you can feel prepared.
Psych Nurse Salary
The average psychiatric nurse salary is around $88,500 per year for an RN. Your license type, location, years of experience, facility type, and employer can affect what you earn. For a better indication of how much you could make in your area, explore the current openings on IntelyCare.
Behavioral Health Hospitals Hiring Now
A number of leading psychiatric and behavioral health hospitals are looking to hire nursing professionals. Explore the latest opportunities:
- Massachusetts General Hospital (including McLean Hospital)
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia and Cornell
- Johns Hopkins
- Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA Health
- Yale New Haven Health
- UCSF Health
- UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
- NYU Langone
- Stanford Health Care
- Sheppard Pratt Hospital
Ready to Find Psych Nurse Jobs?
Check out all the positions available right now. Want to see other options? IntelyCare can match you with even more nursing jobs that interest you.