Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with psychiatric disorders. May provide psychotherapy under the direction of a psychiatrist.

Median Annual Wage: $66,640

Education: Master's degree (66%); Post-master's certificate (24%); Professional degree (7%)

Projected Growth: Faster than average (15% to 21%)

Related Job Titles: Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist; Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse; Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services; Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Advanced Practice Nurse Psychotherapist (APN Psychotherapist); Associate Chief Nurse; Associate Director of Nursing; Coordinator of the Psychiatric Liaison Service; Deputy Director of Clinical Specialty Services; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (PMH Nurse)

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.

More Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Careers

  • Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
  • Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
  • Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.
  • Distinguish between physiologically and psychologically based disorders and diagnose appropriately.
  • Assess patients' mental and physical status based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
  • Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
  • Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, or nursing staff, to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans.
  • Develop and implement treatment plans.
  • Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development including conferences or continuing education activities.
  • Conduct individual, group, or family psychotherapy for those with chronic or acute mental disorders.
  • Interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and renal functioning tests.
  • Consult with psychiatrists or other professionals when unusual or complex cases are encountered.
  • Participate in treatment team conferences regarding diagnosis or treatment of difficult cases.
  • Develop practice protocols for mental health problems based on review and evaluation of published research.
  • Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
  • Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.
  • Teach classes in mental health topics such as stress reduction.
  • Administer medications including those administered by injection.
  • Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.

  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.

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