What is the Role of the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - MSN: PMHNP?
As the second-largest group of behavioral health providers in the United States,1 psychiatric mental health nurses play an essential role in providing specialist-level care to individuals and groups across the lifespan. Two common pathways to pursuing these rewarding, in-demand roles are by earning a Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) degree or a PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate.
µÛÍõ»áËù offers both credentials in an online format designed for nurses, allowing you to complete your studies while continuing to work full-time in your community. Explore the difference between these two CCNE-accredited programs and the role of PMHNP professionals within our health care system to determine which option is right for you and your professional goals.
The Role of an MSN PMHNP
PMHNPs are skilled, passionate nursing experts who evaluate, diagnose and treat mental health disorders by assessing patients' medication needs. They also use education and prevention approaches to ensure their patients can live full and positive lives. The role of the mental health nurse practitioner within psychiatric care teams involves a combination of therapeutic methods and prescribed medication management to help individuals meet their care goals.
Typical Job Responsibilities for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work in settings like physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals. PMHNPs often work alongside social workers, psychiatrists and primary care physicians to deliver comprehensive care.
Duties focus on conducting evaluations to determine patients' mental health status and care needs. This can include diagnosis, creating treatment plans, documenting medical history and more. An important component of these responsibilities often includes educating family members and partners about diagnosed mental health conditions, treatments and medications to ensure that patients receive the support they need while managing mental health conditions.
µÛÍõ»áËù's PMHNP programs also emphasize the importance of understanding and working with diverse populations, including those with PTSD, veterans, individuals with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD or autism and those struggling with addiction or chronic psychiatric conditions.
The collaborative nature of mental health nursing practice requires a diverse set of skills, including critical thinking, strong oral and written communication, collaboration, leadership and information technology. These interdisciplinary competencies can be gained through a full MSN: PMHNP program or a post-graduate PMHNP certificate program.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for PMHNP roles varies based on work setting as well as location. In µÛÍõ»áËù, nurse practitioners earn an annual mean wage of $122,870.2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) breaks down mean wages for nurse practitioners further at the national level,3 with NPs in psychiatric hospitals earning $131,880 per year, more than their counterparts in other settings. NPs earn $129,190 per year in outpatient care settings and $122,960 in general medical and surgical hospitals.
Earners in the 90th percentile of the BLS's national nurse practitioner category earn $163,350 per year. When you consider that the median annual salary for registered nurses is $86,070 per year,4 it's clear that those who continue their education for advanced practice can increase their earning potential and qualify for more lucrative job opportunities.
Demand for skilled nurse practitioners is also on the rise, with the BLS projecting an impressive 45 percent growth rate for the role through 2032 and 118,600 new roles for nurse practitioners during the same period.5
Factors driving this employment growth include expanded access to mental health services, an emphasis on preventive care and the emerging care needs of our aging population, the BLS reports. Team-based care models also lead to increased demand for providers like psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
Advance Your Nursing Career in Mental Health
Comparing the MSN-PMHNP and PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate
Depending on your previous academic experience, you can choose to pursue µÛÍõ»áËù's MSN-PMHNP program or the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate. Both are delivered online, include 750 clinical hours and require an active nursing license. However, there are some key differences to keep in mind that can help determine which program is right for you.
The MSN: PMHNP program is designed for nurses who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution. It includes both a base MSN curriculum and specialized PMHNP coursework. The master's degree program can be completed in six semesters and includes 40 total credit hours from 11 courses.
Our Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is open to nurses who already hold an MSN degree and want to move into psychiatric mental health practice as a nurse practitioner. It requires students to complete prerequisites in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and health appraisal. The certificate program can be completed in three semesters and includes 20 credit hours from 7 courses.
Most importantly, both program options prepare nurses to sit for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). On average, 95 percent of our graduates pass their certification exam on the first try. When you learn with µÛÍõ»áËù, you can gain the specialized expertise to take your next professional step.
The Ideal PMHNP Candidate
Ideal candidates for our PMHNP programs have a strong interest in mental health care and serving diverse populations. In addition to medication management, they should be prepared to develop and utilize therapy skills as part of their practice, delivering specialized care for individuals across the lifespan.
Because this is a rigorous program, candidates should be motivated to balance both academic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. µÛÍõ»áËù seeks PMHNP candidates who are adaptable and open minded, ready to explore engaging with a range of clinical settings and populations – specifically veterans, individuals with neurodivergent conditions, those struggling with addiction and others requiring long-term psychiatric care.
How to Become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
You can continue your nursing education and pursue certification to become a PMHNP with µÛÍõ»áËù's online MSN: PMHNP program or Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate. Through engaging coursework and experience-based learning, both the degree and certificate help nurses develop their skills in mental health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, advanced therapeutic modalities and more. These comprehensive programs are designed to deliver the advanced nursing skill set you need for the next phase of your career.
Learn more about both online PMHNP programs to find the option that's right for you.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association. About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Retrieved June 2024 from .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: µÛÍõ»áËù. Retrieved June 2024 from .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021: 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved June 2024 from .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Registered Nurses. Retrieved June 2024 from .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved June 2024 from .
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