Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Guide: What Is It, What Does It Do & More Details About the Role

The nursing industry has multiple career pathways for aspiring nurses and seasoned staff. One of the most popular is that of a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a rewarding option for those who wish to help improve the mental health of both individual patients and the general population.

If you are considering pursuing the path to becoming and practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, we come to your aid with a complete guide to the nursing role. You will find out what a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is, what they do, how to become one, and many other essential facts and details about the profession. 

What Is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is a healthcare provider who tends to patients with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and other conditions or situations that take a toll on their psychological well-being. 

The role is sometimes referred to as mental health or psychiatric nurse practitioner, without there being a substantial difference between the labels.

Importance of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are vital in addressing the growing demand for mental health care by providing accessible and effective treatment for a wide range of patient groups across diverse settings.

With over one in five adults (or 23.1% of the population) experiencing a mental health condition annually in the US, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), PMHNPs play a crucial role in bridging the gap in mental health services by offering a holistic approach to care by diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions all the while addressing the physical and emotional well-being of various communities. 

Psychiatric nurse practitioners also play a part in reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions while also promoting proactive intervention and integrating mental health in primary care.

The Responsibilities Associated With the PMHNP Role

A psychiatric nurse practitioner can have a wide array of tasks and activities within various work settings and contexts, often in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Their general responsibilities include the following aspects:

• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment: The first rapport between a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and the pool of patients is established through assessment activities, such as patient reviews, psychological evaluations, and reviews of medical histories. PMHNPs are also responsible for diagnosing various mental health conditions and developing the appropriate individual treatment plan for each patient.

• Prescribing medication: A psychiatric nurse practitioner can and will have to prescribe psychotropic medication to manage the mental health conditions and psychological state of patients. 

• Additional treatment modalities: Medication is often combined with other treatment modalities to ensure a balanced and holistic approach to the psychiatric conditions of patients, and a PMHNP needs to be apt in prescribing and performing them.

• Monitoring: Once a diagnosis is set and the medication is prescribed according to the individual treatment plan, a psychiatric nurse practitioner will also monitor patient responses, manage potential side effects, and adjust dosages, if necessary. 

• Providing the appropriate therapy: A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner needs to be able to deliver the proper evidence-based treatment to a patient, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy.  

• Providing education and guidance: PMHNPs also fulfill an educational role for patients, their peers, and their families, concerning the conditions the former experience and the appropriate treatment plan, but also about coping strategies and ways of adherence to care plans. Additionally, through education, psychiatric nurse practitioners have a positive role in reducing the stigma associated with mental health treatment and in promoting long-term wellness.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner vs. Psychiatrist

While they both share the mission of providing mental health treatment and guaranteeing wellness in treated communities, the scope of practice of a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner differs from that of a psychiatrist.

Most substantially, psychiatrists have more decision-making power in various situations than PMHNPs. For instance, a psychiatrist can fulfill specific functions, such as administering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or committing patients to involuntary hospitalization, functions that are not accessible to psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

Additionally, PMHNPs have varying degrees of workplace autonomy depending on the setting and state in which they work. Local legislation or internal guidelines often require psychiatric nurse practitioners to work under a psychiatrist.

The differences in the scope of practice arise principally from the difference in education between bearers of the two roles. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and thus need to hold a doctorate, which is not the case for PMHNPs. 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner vs. Registered Nurse

PMHNPs also differ from psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHNs) by their scope of practice, autonomy, and preparation for various activities in their respective work environments.

Psychiatric registered nurses deal with the provision of direct patient care in various settings, including mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community mental health centers. However, the array of tasks they can complete is much more restrictive. For instance, while they can administer medications, they cannot prescribe them within a treatment plan. Similarly, a psychiatric registered nurse can monitor a patient’s mental health status, but only psychiatric nurse practitioners can perform dosage changes or decide on the psychiatric approach.

Additionally, psychiatric registered nurses have less autonomy in their respective work environments, often working under the supervision and direction of psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, doctors, and other better-qualified staff.

The more restrictive working conditions result from a lesser level of preparation: psychiatric registered nurses only require a BSN degree to practice.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Skills and Competencies

The nature of psychiatric and mental health practice requires professionals to develop and maintain a list of skills and abilities that make the difference between poor results and improved patient outcomes. These include:

• Clinical and technical skills: As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, you will have to acquire in-depth knowledge in the assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions, psychopharmacology, therapeutic techniques, and the management of acute psychiatric crises (such as suicide prevention and de-escalation techniques).

• Communication skills: PMHNPs have to interact with a wide array of patients, which requires them to know how to build trust, listen to and understand their experiences, and adapt care to diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and walks of life. Additionally, they have to develop skills in explaining diagnoses and treatments and helping their patients develop positive habits and lifestyles.

• Collaboration: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners operate in teams composed of psychiatrists, therapists, care providers, and other professionals. Cooperation and good communication practices are essential for performance in the field.

• Advocacy: The role requires practitioners to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize and garner access to care within served communities.

• Lifelong learning: Psychiatry is a dynamic field, and you will need to stay up to date with advancements, trends, evidence-based practices, as well as emerging regulations or technologies.

The best way to ensure that you acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to practice and excel as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is by choosing the appropriate educational program.

Our MSN PMHNP Program is a master ’s-level learning option that provides high-quality, CCNE-accredited education in the most accessible way by combining online instruction, preceptorship experience, and one in-person seminar. You can complete the program and achieve your certification in 24 months.

Enroll in our MSN PMHNP Program and achieve your career aspirations!

Educational Requirements for Becoming a PMHNP

To become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health.

Considering that to receive a DNP, you would have to have completed your MSN-level education already, the shortest pathway to achieving the necessary education for the psychiatric nurse practitioner role is by enrolling in a 2-year MSN degree program. 

At Nightingale College, you can complete the MSN PMHNP Program, which is specially designed for students aspiring to work in mental health treatment. The hybrid CCNE-accredited study program is composed of online instruction, one in-person seminar, and preceptorship experiences, allowing for maximum flexibility and accessibility with the highest degree of educational quality.

Enroll today and advance your education to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner!

Prerequisites for PMHNP Education

In order to enroll in an MSN program with the right specialization, you have to complete your basic nursing-level education. In other words, MSN programs require you to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

There are two main options for getting your BSN degree, each with advantages and disadvantages:

• You can pursue a full-time BSN program that requires no prior training but can take 4 years to complete.
• If you want to start practicing as a nurse earlier or already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can enroll in a shorter 1-year RN-to-BSN program that allows you to advance your basic education.

Read our guide to the expected length to complete nursing school depending on your chosen program of study to compare various pathways and find the best option for your needs.

You can find both learning options among the educational programs at Nightingale College. 

Our BSN Program combines online instructions with supervised on-field field experiences (SOFEs) to deliver quality education, allowing you to complete your necessary education in 3 years or less.

You can also enroll in our 100% online RN-to-BSN Track, which is completable in 12 months, to advance your education and your career journey with maximum flexibility and accessibility.

Find out more about the programs and enroll today to advance your education!

How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: PMHNP Career Paths

We will provide you with the recommended path to becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, as well as options for further specialization and later advancement.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Complete your MSN- or DNP-level education with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health.
2. Accumulate a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in mental health work settings during your MSN or DNP program.
3. Earn your necessary certification by passing the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The PMHNP-BC credential is valid for 5 years, after which it needs to be renewed.
4. Depending on the US state you will be working in, you may need to complete other specific licensure requirements, such as applying for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure.

Continuing Education Opportunities for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Once you have achieved the national and state licensure requirements, you are ready to practice in various clinical environments. However, you should also consider your options in continuing your nursing education and pursuing nursing specializations to increase patient outcomes and your payment.

Remember that you will have to renew your certification every 5 years. Thus, you should also make learning a lifetime commitment and stay up to date with the current scientific standard in the field of psychiatry and mental health.

Additionally, you can pursue post-graduate certificates in areas such as:

• Addiction Medicine
• Addiction Psychiatry (CARN)
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Integrative Mental Health
• Pediatric Behavioral Health
• Telehealth Training

If you want to advance your education and achieve greeted autonomy in the workplace, you should pursue a DNP, which will guarantee the highest degree of preparation in your field.

PMHNP Job Outlook, Work Settings, and Career Opportunities

The job outlook for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners is encouraging for aspiring learners, with over 38,000 job openings in the first half of 2024 and over 118,600 new job openings over the next decade (2025-2035), according to job aggregation website Zippia. The overall job growth of PMHNPs is expected to be 40% by 2028.

PMHNPs find employment across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices. The demand for mental health services is a significant driver of employment growth in these areas. Nurse practitioners with psychiatric training can also access various career opportunities, including:

• Specialized clinical roles, such as child and adolescent, geriatric, or addiction psychiatry.
• Leadership and administrative roles, including clinical directorship, healthcare policymaking, nursing education, training, and mentorship.
• Emerging fields, such as telehealth psychiatry, integrated behavioral health, and trauma-informed care specializations.
• Career and academic opportunities, including private practice, research, and academia, or governmental and NGO employment. 

PMHNP Salary by State in 2025

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are some of the best-remunerated nurses in the industry, with an estimated salary of $138,518 per year (equivalent to a $58.19 hourly wage).

The states where psychiatric nurse practitioners are paid the best are Washington ($158,804 per year), Colorado ($157,510 per year), Delaware ($147,478 per year), Illinois ($146,111per year), and New York ($145,228 per year).

At the other end of the spectrum, the states with the lowest PMHNP salary estimates are Florida ($98,478 per year), West Virginia ($102,742 per year), Louisiana ($109,937 per year), and Georgia ($111,275 per year).

Here is the full list of PMHNP salaries for each US state:

You can find out more information about the estimated pay grades for PMHNP and other roles in our nurse salary by state report. Similarly, you can consult the nurse practitioner salaries in each state.

PMHNP Frequently Asked Questions

How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

In order to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you have to achieve MSN- or DNP-level education and pass the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Depending on your state, you may have to acquire additional certification to practice.

What Does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Do?

Psychiatric mental health practitioners provide comprehensive mental health care across diverse populations, with their key responsibilities including conducting mental health assessments, diagnosing conditions, prescribing and managing psychiatric medications, and delivering evidence-based therapies such as CBT. PMHNPs also educate patients, their families, and their peers about mental health conditions and treatment plans, manage crises, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of professionals to provide holistic care.

Can a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Diagnose?

Yes, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are responsible for assessing and providing a diagnosis for the mental health conditions of their patients, as well as providing holistic treatment plans and promoting knowledge and awareness among their served communities.

Can a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication?

Yes, psychiatric nurse practitioners are licensed to prescribe medication for the treatment of mental health conditions. Their additional responsibilities include explaining treatments to patients, supervising their development, and adjusting dosages and intakes.

How Does the Role of a PMHNP Differ from Other Advanced Practice Nurses?

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are specialized in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric and mental health conditions. Consequently, their respective scope of practice, responsibilities, and day-to-day tasks may differ from those of other advanced practice nurses, who concentrate on the improvement and maintenance of patients’ mental wellness.

Can PMHNPs Work Independently?

Although, many psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work in autonomous work environments, in general, the practice of PMHNPs is dependent on collaborating with various other professionals and staff members. Compared to psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners have less autonomy in the workplace.

How Long Does It Take to Become a PMHNP?

Depending on your preparation, becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner can take anywhere from 2 to 8 years of learning. Starting with no experience or basic nursing education, you will have to first earn your BSN degree (which takes 3 to 4 years) and then pursue a 2-year MSN degree with a specialization in psychiatry, such as the MSN PMHNP Program at Nightingale College. Additionally, depending on the local legislation and the desired work setting, PMHNPs may require a certain amount of work experience to start practicing.

How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner With a Psychology Degree

No, a psychology degree is not sufficient to receive PMHNP licensure and practice in clinical settings. The academic prerequisites include basic nursing education (BSN-level) and either an MSN or DNP with a specialization in psychiatric nursing.