How to Become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who provide a range of mental healthcare services. PMHNPs have broader clinical autonomy than registered nurses (RNs) and a more specialized professional focus than primary care NPs.

Learn how to become a PMHNP, including education and licensure requirements.

PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health conditions. They care for patients and families across the lifespan, helping them address anxiety disorders, behavioral issues, substance use disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and more.

These practitioners can work in hospitals, mental health clinics, community centers, primary care clinics, and correctional facilities, among others. Depending on the NP practice rules in their state, they may work independently, in collaboration with other medical professionals, or under the supervision of a physician. (Many states allow full practice authority to NPs). NPs may write prescriptions, offer counseling, and educate patients on mental health issues from medication to lifestyle changes.

These professionals take a holistic approach to healthcare, considering how physical, environmental, social, and cultural factors might influence a patient’s mental health or care.

Like all advanced nursing roles, PMHNPs must complete several steps before entering practice as psychiatric primary care providers, psychotherapists, consultants, and educators.

While specific requirements vary by state and employer, PMHNPs typically need valid registered nurse (RN) licensure in the state where they intend to practice, a graduate degree, and national board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Most employers also require nurses to obtain certification in basic life support (BLS), along with advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification in some cases.

PMHNPs can access the profession from various educational pathways. Those who pursue a DNP, the terminal degree in the field, could take an additional 3-4 years after earning their MSN to complete their educational and clinical requirements for licensure.

If you take the ADN and RN licensure pathway instead, you can accelerate your BSN degree with transfer credits or an RN-to-MSN program. This educational pathway is one of the fastest routes if you complete your clinical requirements during your studies.

While the time to licensure is an important consideration, it’s not the only factor. You need to choose a pathway that fits your schedule, learning style, and career goals.

PMHNPs need board certification and state licensure at both the RN and APRN levels. Licensure is managed at the state level by each state’s board of nursing or related agency, while certification is managed by national organizations.

PMHNPs need the PMHNP-BC from the ANCC to qualify for state APRN licensure. This certification is valid for five years and has the following eligibility requirements:

To renew the PMHNP-BC credential, you need to complete at least 75 continuing education hours. Other useful certifications include pediatric primary care mental health specialist (PMHS) and the certified addictions registered nurse – advanced practice (CARN-AP) credential.

Along with state RN licensure, PMHNPs need APRN state licensure. While the requirements vary by state, the vast majority require board certification. Depending on your practice, you may also need a license from the Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe controlled substances. Every state has its own renewal requirements, but most states require NPs to renew every 1-5 years and complete a number of continuing education credits along the way.

The nurse practitioner profession features one of the strongest professional outlooks in any industry, with a unique combination of exceptionally strong projected growth and high earning potential. PMHNPs enjoy independence in most states, but your place of work will largely influence your duties and responsibilities.

Your tasks may include:

Start thinking about your interests and career goals early on, so you can tailor your studies and practicums to your field. You can also lean on your network and professional associations to help you find the most relevant employment.

The majority of nurse practitioners work in physician offices and hospitals, though PMHNPs can also find employment in mental health clinics and community health centers.

PMHNPs may also use their knowledge and practical expertise to consult on mental health issues for businesses and community organizations.

Among the most common workplace settings for PMHNPs, these departments rely on psychiatric NPs to assess patients, provide primary and mental health care, collaborate with physicians to develop patient care plans and supervise nursing assistants and RNs. In these settings, you may perform more evaluations and interventions when handling health crises.

Psychiatric NPs in private practice assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health conditions. They provide psychotherapy, develop and carry out care plans, and prescribe medications. PMHNPs in these settings work under psychiatrist supervision, but depending on the state, they may manage their own practices without supervision.

Substance use disorders often co-occur with mental health conditions. PMHNPs create medication regimens through treatment programs to support patients’ psychiatric needs, oversee the detox process, and address psychiatric emergencies. In this setting, PMHNPs may provide more monitoring, therapy, and medication management than in hospital settings.

Social services settings that employ PMHNPs include schools, prisons, public health clinics, and shelters. PMHNPs in these environments serve diverse populations, often offering counseling for people recovering from trauma, domestic violence, child abuse, and depression. Depending on their practice authority, PMHNPs may work independently or under the supervision of psychiatrists.