Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner
In the
A PMHNP is trained to practice autonomously. In 24 states,
Education
The first step to becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is becoming an RN. First it is required to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited 4-year university, or an associate degree in a nursing program. After completing the program of choice, the National Council Licensure Examination for a Registered Nurse (
Individuals who already possess a bachelor's degree in another field can attend one of many accelerated BSN programs before entering an approved MSN or DNP program. Accelerated BSN programs typically take one and a half to two years after completion of prerequisite coursework. A new training modality is the master's entry/graduate entry to practice nursing program model, which is specifically designed for those with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields. Entrants to these programs typically spend one to two years completing bachelor level nursing classes to allow them to sit for the nursing board exam
The DNP is the planned entry level degree for advanced practice registered nurses according to the ANCC. However, no state has initiated any laws regarding the DNP as the minimum degree. It is expected that current master's-prepared nurses will be "grandfathered' into the new system and as long as they keep their certification current, they will not be required to pursue a doctoral degree.
There are many schools that offer the graduate education required for this profession. Notable schools with Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse practitioner programs are
The cost of education can vary greatly. Programs at public universities are typically less expensive for state residents than out-of-state-residents. For example, at
Characteristics
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners require certain skills to excel in the field. Being a PMHNP requires compassion for their patients and their well-being, outstanding communication skills, and a pure dedication to helping their patients heal and improve their mental state. PMHNPs also need to easily form intimate connections with their patients and have high sensitivity towards their patients' emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Attentiveness is a very important characteristic because a PMHNP needs to be able to clearly and fully listen to what their patient is saying and what their report is showing. Along with attentiveness, a PMHNP should not make any assumptions, for it may tunnel their vision when it is crucial to have an open mind with different diagnoses that may be possible. An undervalued characteristic that is vital for a PMHNP to have is optimism. The PMHNP needs to stay optimistic because it will improve the relationship with the patient and the patient's attitude about improving their health. A characteristic that all PMHNPs must have is emotional stability. Times may get stressful, but staying composed for the health and safety of both the PMHNP and the patient is consequential.[10] a PMHNP must possess these skills for their patients best interest, as well as their own.[11]
Practice Settings
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can choose between a variety of practice settings to work in. Some PMHNPs chose to specialize in a certain area within the field that causes them to reside in certain practice settings. Another deciding factor for where a PMHNP chooses to reside may depend on if they are following a specific Psychiatrist to improve their education. Such settings include hospitals, detoxification clinics, outpatient offices, recovery centers,
Sub-Specialties
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners have many options as far as sub-specialties go. PMHNP's can specialize in specific areas within the field to work with a specific age of patients, a specific type of disorder, or in specific conditions.
Disorders
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are able to assess, diagnose, treat, and improve a wide range of mental disorders. Common mental disorders PMHNP's work with are anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, and ADHD.[15] Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners can work on a variety of mental disorders, and they can also work on a variety of age groups with these mental disorders. PMHNP's can work with any patient from early childhood to late adulthood.
Labor Shortages
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are in very high demand. As of 2020, throughout the United States, there were 5,766 areas with a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner shortage, and over 6,500 PMHNP's were needed to end this shortage.[16] Throughout the United States, there has been a significant rise in mental health issues, and some are recently related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, there were high reports of loneliness and financial instability that lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety.[16] Due to this rise in mental illness throughout the United States, psychiatric-mental health practitioners are in need now more than ever.[16]
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were already rising numbers in mental health issues seen in adults and the youth in the United States. Prior to COVID-19, 19.6% of adults experienced a mental illness, and that estimates around 50 million American adults.[17] Along with an increase in mental health issues, the rate of suicide ideation among adults has been rising, and especially peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] Depressive episodes, severe depression, and suicide rates increased in the youth in the United States. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death in adolescents in the United States.[17] The rate of substance abuse by American adults and adolescence has also been increasing.[17]
With the rise of mental health issues found in adults and youth in the United States, PMHNP's are needed eagerly. Most adults and youth who deal with mental issues, do not seek help, and this is particularly because it takes weeks, or even months, before individuals can be seen by a PMHNP.[17] There is a huge labor shortage of PMHNP's that need filled now because of the drastic increase in numbers of mental health issues in the United States.
Salary
The salary of a PMHNP is much higher than the salary of an RN with just a BSN degree. The average median salary of a PMHNP in the United States as of 2019 was $111,840. The average hourly rate of a PMHNP in the United States as of 2019 was $53.77.[18] The state and practice setting a PMHNP resides, as well as the number of years of experience will determine how much a PMHNP should expect to make annually. The annual salary of a PMHNP changes depending on the state of residence with California having the highest annual salary at $149,07 0 and Tennessee having the lowest annual salary at $96,510.[18][19] The annual salary of a PMHNP also differs depending on the practice setting one resides in. The average annual salary of a PMHNP working in a medical hospital is $115,790. The average anuual salary of a PMHNP working in an outpatient center is $119,920. The average annual salary of a PMHNP working in a physicians office is $108,930. The average annual salary of a PMHNP working in a health practitioners office is $108,660. The average annual salary of a PMHNP working at a college or university is $105,310.[18] The years of experience a PMHNP has will also be taken into consideration with their annual salary. A PMHNP with less than a year of experience should expect to make on average $103,000 annually. A PMHNP with one to four years of experience should expect to make on average $109,000 annually. A PMHNP with five to nine years of experience should expect to make on average $114,000 annually. A PMHNP with ten to nineteen years of experience should expect to make on average $120,000 annually.[20]
See also
- Psychiatric and mental health nursing
- List of counseling topics
- Mental health professional
- Mental health
- Mental illness
- Nurse Practitioner
References
- ^ "Psychiatric Mental Health NP Competencies" (PDF). American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Bean, Mackenzie (December 14, 2021). "NP practice authority by state". Becker's Hospital Review. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Editorial: Make better use of nurse practitioners - Editorials - the Sacramento Bee". Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
- ^ "FAQs about Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses - American Psychiatric Nurses Association". www.apna.org. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
- ^ "How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)". Nursing License Map. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ The State of California. (2007, January 22). California Board of Registered Nursing Retrieved February 9, 2007, from "California Board of Registered Nursing - Nurse Practitioners". Archived from the original on 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ^ "Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Graduate Programs by State - American Psychiatric Nurses Association". www.apna.org.
- ^ "The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)". www.aacnnursing.org.
- ^ University of California, San Francisco. (2007, February 6). MS Specialty: Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing - UCSF School of Nursing Retrieved February 9, 2007, from http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/spec-psy.htm
- ^ "25 Qualities that Make a Good Nurse Practitioner". www.nursingprocess.org. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ "Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing - Psychiatric Nursing". APNA. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b eCareers, Health. "6 Subspecialties for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners". healthecareers.com. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "What is Addiction Medicine? | NYSAM". New York Society of Addiction Medicine. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "Forensic psychiatry". Health Careers. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "Online Nursing Programs | Wilkes University Online". onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ a b c "What Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Do?". St. Thomas University Online. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b c d e "The State of Mental Health in America". Mental Health America. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ a b c "Nurse Practitioner Contract Negotiation Tips & Resources | Duquesne University". Duquesne University School of Nursing. 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ "Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary in 2022". www.nursingprocess.org. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ "Psychiatric Nurse Salary Guide | NurseJournal.org". NurseJournal. 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2022-03-31.