Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
29-1141.02
Bright Outlook Updated 2024

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Adult Psychiatric Mental Health APRN (Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse, APN (Advanced Practice Nurse), Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (BC PMH-CNS), PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), Psychiatric APN (Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse), Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (Psychiatric CNS), Psychiatric NP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner), Psychiatric Provider, Psychiatry APRN (Psychiatry Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImportanceCategoryTask
98
 
Core
Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
97
 
Core
Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
97
 
Core
Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
97
 
Core
Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
97
 
Core
Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
97
 
Core
Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
96
 
Core
Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.
94
 
Core
Distinguish between physiologically- and psychologically-based disorders, and diagnose appropriately.
93
 
Core
Develop and implement treatment plans.
85
 
Core
Conduct individual, group, or family psychotherapy for those with chronic or acute mental disorders.
85
 
Core
Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development, including conferences or continuing education activities.
83
 
Core
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, or nursing staff, to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans.
81
 
Core
Consult with psychiatrists or other professionals when unusual or complex cases are encountered.
79
 
Core
Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
76
 
Core
Participate in treatment team conferences regarding diagnosis or treatment of difficult cases.
72
 
Core
Interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and renal functioning tests.
65
 
Core
Develop practice protocols for mental health problems, based on review and evaluation of published research.
64
 
Core
Provide routine physical health screenings to detect or monitor problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
64
 
Core
Administer medications, including those administered by injection.
57
 
Core
Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.
67
 
Supplemental
Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
63
 
Supplemental
Treat patients for routine physical health problems.
63
 
Supplemental
Direct or provide home health services.
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Worker Requirements

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • 87%
     
    Master’s degree required
  • 9%
     
    Doctoral degree required
  • 4%
     
    Professional degree required

Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
82
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
82
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Registered Nurses.
Employment data for Registered Nurses.
Industry data for Registered Nurses.
Median wages (2022)
$39.05 hourly, $81,220 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2022)
3,172,500 employees
Projected growth (2022-2032)
Faster than average (5% to 8%)
Projected job openings (2022-2032)
193,100
State trends
Top industries (2022)
Health Care and Social Assistance (84% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data and 2022-2032 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings