Here’s a brief list of what Psychiatric Nurses do:

• Assessment: Conducts comprehensive psychiatric assessments to evaluate patients' mental health status, including interviews, observations, and collaboration with healthcare team members.

• Medication Administration: Administers psychiatric medications and monitors patients' responses to medication therapy, assessing for side effects and therapeutic efficacy.

• Therapeutic Interventions: Provides individual and group therapy using therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and psychoeducation to address patients' mental health needs.

• Crisis Intervention: Assesses and intervenes during psychiatric crises, including suicide risk assessments, aggression management, and de-escalation techniques to ensure patient safety and stabilization.

• Patient Education: Educates patients and families about mental health disorders, medications, treatment options, coping skills, and community resources to support recovery and wellness.

• Collaboration: Collaborates with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans tailored to patients' needs.

• Advocacy: Advocates for patients' rights, access to mental health services, and continuity of care within healthcare systems, ensuring patients receive appropriate support and resources.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Earn a Nursing Degree:

• Start by obtaining a nursing degree. You can choose from several educational paths:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Typically takes about 2-3 years to complete and qualifies you to become a registered nurse (RN).

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year program that provides a more comprehensive education in nursing, including leadership and critical thinking skills.

• Direct-Entry Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN): Some programs offer entry for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field. This path typically takes around 2-3 years.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam:

• After completing your nursing degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

3. Gain Experience as a Registered Nurse:

• Work as an RN to gain clinical experience, preferably in settings that provide exposure to mental health or psychiatric nursing. This experience is valuable for understanding patient care and developing essential nursing skills.

4. Specialize in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing:

• Pursue additional education and training in psychiatric-mental health nursing. This can be achieved through:

• Certification: Obtain certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse (PMHN) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or another recognized certifying body.

• Advanced Practice: Consider advancing your education to become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in psychiatric-mental health. This requires a Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

5. Obtain Licensure and Certification:

• Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need additional licensure or certification to practice as a psychiatric nurse or PMHNP. Requirements vary, so check with your state board of nursing for specific details.

6. Continuing Education and Professional Development:

• Stay current with advancements in psychiatric-mental health nursing through continuing education courses, workshops, and conferences.

• Maintain your certification by fulfilling continuing education requirements set by the certifying body.

7. Build a Professional Network:

• Join professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) to connect with peers, access resources, and stay informed about industry trends.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!