PMHNP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner)

What is a PMHNP?

A PMHNP, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, is a type of nurse practitioner who provides mental health care to adults, children and families. They assess, diagnose and treat people with specific mental health disorders or conditions. They also work with people who have substance use disorders. PMHNPs maintain a confidential and safe environment for their patients.

PMHNPs frequently work alongside primary care and other specialty providers. You may also hear them called psychiatric nurse practitioners.

What does a psychiatric nurse practitioner do?

Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide care for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They assess, diagnose and treat people with a wide range of mental health disorders, including:

• Anxiety disorders.
• Depression.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Panic disorder.
• Dementia.
• Schizophrenia.
• Personality disorders.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PMHNPs care for people with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders (dual diagnosis). Working with individuals, families, groups and communities, psychiatric nurse practitioners choose and apply evidence-based interventions to foster positive outcomes and recovery.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with a variety of other healthcare providers to develop partnerships and assist with individual recovery goals. PMNHPs help people gain, regain or improve their living skills and coping abilities. They help manage symptoms of mental health conditions. They also maximize strengths and prevent further disability.

The duties of a PMHNP will vary based on where they work, but many will:

• Diagnose and treat common psychiatric issues, illnesses and mental health crises.
• Prescribe and manage medications and other treatments.
• Provide individual, group and family psychotherapy, including talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Offer counseling services to people with long-term conditions.
• Coordinate and integrate services from a variety of providers for clients with complex psychiatric needs.
• Monitor common healthcare issues and refer people to specialized medical treatment if needed.
• Educate patients and their families about their diagnosis.
• Perform or recommend age-appropriate screening procedures.
• Promote wellness-oriented self-care.
• Be an advocate for family psychiatric-mental health clients and their families.
• Perform medical procedures, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Can a psychiatric nurse practitioner prescribe medication?

Yes. In all 50 U.S. states, psychiatric nurse practitioners have some level of prescribing privileges. In 21 states, PMHNPs can prescribe medications without a collaborating physician. In the remaining states, they may prescribe at the discretion of a psychiatrist or other physician.

Where does a PMHNP work?

PMHNPs work in a variety of locations where mental health care is needed, including:

• Colleges and universities.
• Community mental health centers.
• Correctional facilities.
• Domestic violence shelters.
• Government agencies.
• Home health agencies.
• Hospitals.
• Inpatient psychiatric facilities.
• Primary healthcare clinics.
• Private psychiatric practices.
• Public health agencies.
• Residential substance abuse facilities.
• State psychiatric facilities.

How do you become a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

To become a PMHNP, you first need to attend nursing school to become an RN (registered nurse). You can earn either your ADN (associate’s degree in nursing) or BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) from an accredited nursing program. If you earn your ADN, you’ll need to then complete your BSN degree or enter into an accelerated RN to MSN (master of science in nursing) program, which lets you earn your BSN and MSN at the same time.

To officially become an RN, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) — the test you need to take to become a nurse.

After you pass the NCLEX, you can choose to gain some nursing experience or go directly into an MSN program that offers a path to becoming a PMHNP. There are many in-person and online degree programs available. If you already have your nurse practitioner (NP) degree, you can get a certificate in PMHNP instead. These are certificate programs that allow nurse practitioners to further specialize in mental health.

Once you’ve become a PMHNP, you can get certified. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers a certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC).

How long does it take to become a PMHNP?

There are many different steps to becoming a PMHNP. First, it takes several years to earn your BSN. Then, it’s important to gain work experience in the nursing field before entering a nurse practitioner program. There’s a lot of variability in the length of NP programs, so be sure to consider the length of each program as you decide which will work best for you.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a PMHNP?

Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners have similar roles and responsibilities. They both provide therapy services, prescribe medication and manage the mental health of their patients. But the educational paths of a psychiatrist and a PMHNP are quite different.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who attends medical school for at least four years and completes a fellowship in psychiatry. A PMHNP is a type of nurse practitioner who attends nursing school and completes an advanced nursing program with a specialty in psychiatry. Psychiatric nurse practitioners use the nursing process to inform how they practice.