How To Become A Psychiatric Nurse
A psychiatric nurse promote the well-being of psychiatric patients who require the support and care of professionals in mental health nursing jobs. It takes a dedicated group of healthcare professionals to treat individuals with mental health disorders.
Psychiatric nurses, or mental health nurses, are part of an interdisciplinary team that works to meet the unique challenges of patients with health issues, such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. They collaborate with psychiatrists and counselors to diagnose and treat the disorders and help patients regain normal psycho-social functioning. Psychiatric nurses handle crisis interventions and stabilize patients during emergencies.
Psychiatric Nurse Responsibilities
Psychiatric nurse jobs vary considerably in their responsibilities. Nurses administer medications, record and monitor the results. Psychiatric nurses must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to establish trust and relationships with the patient and family. They educate individuals and families on various mental health issues.
Psychiatric nurses also teach families how to care for their loved ones and how to recognize and address situations when the patient may be a threat to themselves or others. They assess the effectiveness of treatment protocols and consult the other members of the team when adjustments are needed. Some nurses conduct group therapy, organize and participate in outings and social events to help their patients develop social skills and networks. Psychiatric nurses help patients take an active role in their recovery by creating schedules, establishing treatment goals and discharge plans.
A Psychiatric Nurse Requires Licensing and Education
Individuals interested in working as a psychiatric nurse must first complete the licensing requirements to become a registered nurse. You can fulfill the educational obligations with a diploma in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Graduates are then eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to receive a license to practice in their state. Nurses who obtain a masters or a PhD can work in other mental health nursing jobs, such as consultants, psychotherapists and university educators.
Advanced practice registered nurses are individuals who earn a master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. Graduates can work as a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist. Most psychiatric nurse practitioner programs require that applicants have experience treating psychiatric patients. An advanced practice registered nurse is authorized to evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals with mental disorders. Nurses with doctoral degrees can work as researchers, professors or agency, hospital or graduate school administrators.
Psychiatric Nurse Sub-specialties and Salaries
Other mental health nursing jobs include sub-specialties, such as gero-psychiatric nursing, child-adolescent mental health nursing substance abuse and forensics. Salaries for mental health nursing jobs vary considerably. The entry level salary for mental health nurses is $65,000 to $78,000 a year. An advance practice registered nurse can earn more than $90,000. On the higher end of the salary range are nurse educators and nurse executives who earn $95,000 and $100,000, respectively. For Licensed Vocational Nurses, the beginning pay is quite a bit lower. The LVN salary in psychiatric care typically begins at $40,000-43,000.
Students who are interested in working as a psychiatric nurse should volunteer at hospitals, agencies and programs where you can interact with people with psychiatric conditions. This will provide you with an introduction to the specialty before you commit yourself to a career as a psychiatric nurse.