Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Education, Licensure & Salary
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“The field of psychiatric-mental health nursing, particularly through the role of PMHNPs, presents a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on mental health care. Your contribution could be instrumental in improving access and advancing mental health care delivery on a national scale.”
Gabrielle P. Abelard, DNP, Clinical Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
There is an increasing shortage of mental health care providers, particularly providers who can prescribe medications and make medical diagnoses. In fact, over 122 million Americans live in an area designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as being short of mental health providers (KFF 2024). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are essential in addressing this healthcare system gap.
PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurses specially trained to care for patients with mental health conditions. They can prescribe medication, conduct therapy, provide other forms of treatment, and play an important role in educating patients and their families about mental health conditions. PMHNPs often collaborate with other healthcare providers to coordinate care for their patients. As the demand for mental healthcare services continues to grow, PMHNPs will play an increasingly vital role in meeting the needs of patients with mental illness.
Anywhere patients may receive mental health care services is where PMHNPs work, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, community mental health centers, private practices, or research settings. In addition to providing direct patient care, PMHNPs may also conduct psychiatric evaluations, prescribe medication, and provide psychoeducation and psychotherapy.
To work as a PMHNP, registered nurses must complete a master’s of science in nursing, a doctor of nursing practice, or a post-master’s certificate in psychiatric nursing. By completing an advanced degree, registered nurses will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to care for patients with mental illness. Upon graduating, aspiring PMHNPs will need to earn national certification and obtain a license from their state’s nursing board to practice.
The following guide details certification and licensure requirements, potential earnings, and typical job duties for PMHNPs.
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Meet the Expert: Gabrielle P Abelard, DNP, APRN-BC, FAAN, FNAP
Dr. Gabrielle P. Abelard is an accomplished mental health clinician, educator, and motivational speaker with over two decades of experience in mental health nursing. She is a clinical associate professor and a graduate program director at the UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Additionally, she directs a community mental health clinic in Massachusetts.
Dr. Abelard has held key leadership roles and serves on various boards advocating for diversity and equity in nursing. Recognized for her impact, she has been selected as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice and the American Academy of Nursing. Her contributions have been honored with awards from ANA, APNA, New England Chapter, NBNA, and the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce.
NursingColleges.com: What is something most people don’t know about the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing?
Dr. Abelard: It’s a lesser-known fact that despite the increasing demand for mental health services, there’s a critical shortage of specialized psychiatric practitioners in the U.S. Shockingly, only 6.5 percent of all nurse practitioners specialize in psychiatry, as per the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP 2024). This glaring disparity underscores the urgent need for more PMHNPs to step up and fill this vital gap, thereby expanding access to crucial mental health care.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective PMHNP student?
Dr. Abelard: The field of psychiatric-mental health nursing, particularly through the role of PMHNPs, presents a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on mental health care. Your contribution could be instrumental in improving access and advancing mental health care delivery on a national scale. As the demand for mental health services continues to surge, the role of PMHNPs will be pivotal in meeting this growing need and making a lasting difference in mental health care.
My advice to aspiring PMHNPs is to always seek opportunities to enhance your knowledge and to prioritize self-care in your journey of caring for others!
How to Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The first step to becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is to complete an associate of nursing (ASN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. These programs take between two to four years to complete and prepare students for the national licensing exam, called the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
After completing a general nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN, individuals interested in becoming PMHNPs must then complete a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. These programs usually take two to three years to complete and include clinical practicum hours. During clinical practicum hours, students work under the supervision of licensed psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to gain hands-on experience.
Upon completion of an accredited master’s or doctoral degree program, graduates are eligible to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is necessary for a license to practice. More information on licensing and certification can be found below.
What Does a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Do?
PMHNPs can work anywhere patients receive mental health care treatment. They work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, community mental health centers, and private practices. Often, they are their patients’ primary mental health care providers. Day-to-day duties can include:
- Evaluating patients for mental health disorders
- Diagnosing mental health disorders
- Recommending and prescribing medication and other treatments for mental health disorders
- Monitoring patient progress and adjusting treatment as needed
- Educating patients and families about mental health disorders
- Providing psychotherapy care
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients
How Much Do Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not differentiate salaries for nurse practitioner specializations. According to the BLS (May 2023), nurse practitioners earn $128,490 per year on average. However, Salary.com (2024), a compensation aggregate website, does offer salary information by specialization and the percentiles for wages for PMHNP are:
- 10th percentile: $106,811
- 25th percentile: $117,600
- 50th percentile (median): $129,450
- 75th percentile: $141,240
- 90th percentile: $151,974
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Licensure and Certification Requirements
PMHNP Licensing
To provide care to patients, PMHNPs must be licensed as advanced practice registered nurses or nurse practitioners in the state where they will be working. The requirements will vary from state to state. However, most states expect applicants to have the following qualifications:
- A current, active, and unencumbered nursing license in that state
- Completed a master’s of science in nursing, a post-master’s certificate, or a doctor of nursing practice degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing
- Hold a national certification in psychiatric-mental health nursing
- Pass a background check and drug screening
PMHNP Certifications and Eligibility
The primary credential for PMHNPs is the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The eligibility requirements for this certification are:
- A current and active nursing license
- A master’s, post-graduate certificate, or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the National League for Nursing (NLN) Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
- The education program must include a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours
- Graduate courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health, and advanced pharmacology
- Clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities
PMHNP Certification Renewal
The ANCC requires that PMNHPs renew their certification every five years.
To do so, certification holders must submit a completed application, pay the renewal fee, have a current RN license, provide proof of 75 hours of continuing education (of which 25 must be in pharmacology), and complete one of the eight ANCC certification professional development categories.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterThanks to her experience writing in healthcare, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth articles on timely topics for NursingColleges.com since 2022. Her aim is to assist both students and professionals in navigating the intricate process of selecting a nursing program and understanding the ever-evolving realm of nursing education.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.