Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.
Common Job Titles
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse
- PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
- Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (Psychiatric CNS)
- Psychiatric NP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeEvaluate mental health and substance use disorders through clinical assessment and diagnostic criteria working independently with individuals and families in psychiatric care settings.Advanced
- KnowledgeFormulate evidence-based treatment plans integrating psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions synthesizing psychological assessment data, medical history, and regulatory requirements.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in psychiatric case conceptualization applying knowledge of psychology, therapy, sociology, and pharmacology.Advanced
- KnowledgeDesign therapeutic interventions and psychoeducational strategies tailoring evidence-based counseling modalities to individual patient needs and cultural backgrounds.Advanced
- MindsetIntegrate therapeutic presence with patient-centered care principles when establishing trust with individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises.Proficient
- KnowledgeAnalyze psychiatric assessment instruments and clinical screening tools using validated measures such as MMPI-2, Beck inventories, and rating scales to inform diagnosis.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for patient autonomy and therapeutic alliance when negotiating treatment goals with multidisciplinary care teams and family members.Proficient
- Hands-onPerform medication prescription and administration procedures in accordance with state nursing practice regulations and pharmacological best practices.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess patient safety risks and suicide ideation monitoring mental status changes and responding to psychiatric emergencies under time pressure.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret complex clinical information from electronic health records and diagnostic reports documenting treatment progress in patient management systems such as Epic EHR.Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
3,282,010
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $66,030. 25th percentile: U.S. $78,610. 50th percentile: U.S. $93,600. 75th percentile: U.S. $107,960. 90th percentile: U.S. $135,320. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $66,030 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $135,320 |
| Workers on average earn | $98,430 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Psychology5.0/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.7/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.5/5
- Biology4.3/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAS
Technology Skills
- AUDIT-C
- Beck Anxiety Inventory
- Beck Depression Inventory
- Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale BPRS Nursing Modification
- California Verbal Learning Test
- Category Fluency Test
- Children's Depression Inventory
- Controlled Oral Word Association Task
Tools & Equipment
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Catheters
- Electrocardiogram
- Handheld thermometers
- Hypodermic needles
- Intravenous IV pumps
- Laser facsimile machines