The process of how to become a mental health nurse starts with earning a nursing degree and obtaining licensure. A psychiatric mental health nurse treats patients with mental and behavioral health disorders that can negatively affect relationships, school or work performance, and overall quality of life. A mental health nurse provides needed support, helping patients overcome challenges and make positive changes.

If mental health nursing interests you, you can start your journey at Marian University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our ABSN program enables you to earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Along the way, you’ll complete hundreds of hours of in-hospital clinical rotations, which may include exposure to mental and behavioral health settings.

Learn more about the role and responsibilities of a mental health nurse, as well as how to become a psychiatric nurse. Explore the essential skills for this nursing specialty and discover career advancement opportunities.

What Is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse?

A mental health registered nurse (RN) works with individuals with mental, behavioral, and emotional health issues. In the U.S., more than one in five adults lives with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mild, moderate, and severe mental disorders can significantly affect a person’s well-being and quality of life. They can also affect their loved ones. Mental health RNs help these patients work toward recovery.

Some core responsibilities of mental health nurses include:

• Administering medications
• Coordinating care and providing case management
• Counseling patients and their loved ones
• Handling new patient intake, assessment, and evaluation
• Patient stabilization and crisis intervention

Mental health RNs can work with patients one-on-one and in small groups. They work with patients with a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma disorders, and substance use disorders.

How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse: Step by Step

You can start working toward becoming a psychiatric nurse by applying to nursing school and earning a degree.

Apply to Nursing School

First, decide which nursing school and program is right for you. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, an ABSN program could be ideal for you.

Next, review admissions requirements. Marian University requires non-transfer ABSN students to hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. Additionally, we consider transfer candidates enrolled in our AS in Health Sciences program.

You’ll also need to complete prerequisite courses including microbiology, human anatomy, and psychopathology. Your prior education may fulfill some of these requirements.

Earn a BSN

All Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs combine nursing theory with clinical skills education. In Marian University’s ABSN program, students complete nursing coursework online. You’ll also participate in in-person nursing skills and simulation labs at one of our ABSN program site locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, or Nashville, Tennessee, to learn essential nursing skills and the application of the nursing process. Clinical rotations at top area healthcare facilities will help you gain immersive experience in a nursing environment.

Obtain an RN License

After graduating, the next step in the process of becoming a psychiatric nurse is obtaining RN licensure. You’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN, a licensure exam that tests both nursing knowledge and the ability to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills appropriately.

Since the NCLEX-RN can be challenging, it’s best to start preparing for it well in advance. Answer multiple practice questions each day and take a few full-length practice exams in the months leading up to your test date.

After passing the exam, you can obtain your RN license and start applying to psychiatric nursing positions.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychiatric Nurse?

There is no universal timeline for becoming a psychiatric nurse, as there are different pathways available. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in a traditional BSN program, which typically takes four years.

If you do have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for the accelerated pathway at Marian University. Our ABSN program enables you to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months. This does not include any time required to complete prerequisite courses.

After earning a BSN through either a traditional or accelerated pathway, you’ll also need to pass the NCLEX-RN to attain licensure. Nurse candidates often take the exam within a few months of graduation. Upon passing, you can start applying for psychiatric nursing jobs.

Where Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Work?

A psychiatric mental health nurse can work in any healthcare setting that provides mental health services. These include hospitals, private mental health practices, inpatient treatment centers, assisted living facilities, and community health centers. Some mental health RNs may work in schools, universities, or telehealth settings.

Essential Skills for Success in Mental Health Nursing

Along with hard skills like medication management, crisis intervention, counseling, and patient education, psychiatric nurses can benefit from strong soft skills such as:

• Adaptability
• Communication skills
• Conflict de-escalation
• Decision-making
• Empathy and compassion
• Time management

What Is a PMHNP?

A PMHNP is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs are highly educated clinicians who may practice with more autonomy and prescriptive authority than RNs as dictated by state law.

Given their advanced education and APRN licensure, PMHNPs have a broader scope of practice than mental health nurses. They assess, diagnose, and treat patients with a range of mental health disorders, often managing complex patient cases involving comorbidities. PMHNPs can also prescribe medications, subject to state law, and perform some procedures.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certification and Career Advancement

If you decide you’d like to advance to the role of PMHNP, you’ll need to pursue a graduate-level nursing degree. You can become an APRN with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a concentration in psychiatric mental health nursing.

After graduating, you’ll need to pass a board certification exam in your specialty area. This will enable you to apply for APRN licensure. Once you have a psychiatric mental health nursing certification and an APRN license, you can start looking for roles as a PMHNP.

Is a Career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Right for You?

If you’re passionate about mental health and behavioral healthcare, pursuing this nursing specialty may make sense for you. Nurses who are effective in this role recognize that a person’s mental health is not indicative of their character.

Consider the following questions as you reflect on your career choice:

• Are you able to set strong professional boundaries?
• Can you listen to others without judgment?
• Can you remain calm during stressful situations?
• Do you feel you can handle patients who may pose a threat to physical safety?

Earn a Nursing Degree Faster at Marian University

At Marian University, you can start on the pathway toward becoming a PMHNP with our ABSN program. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months after completing any needed prerequisites. Our Catholic university maintains small class sizes and offers Academic Success Coaches for individualized support.

Request information and connect with an admissions advisor today to learn more.