How Much Does a Mental Health Nurse Earn?
How much a mental health nurse earns depends on the type of work they do and their setting. A mental health nurse can work in hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse centers, private practices, community-based mental health clinics, and state and federal facilities.
They typically work 37.5 hours a week, including evenings and weekends. Those working in residential and hospital settings may do shift work, while those in community agencies or private practices can work regular business hours.
Salary ranges
Mental health nurses earn a wide range of salaries depending on their experience and level of education. Those with more advanced certifications are usually paid more than other nurses.
Psychiatric nursing is a challenging and rewarding career, but it can also be very stressful. The job requires long hours and sometimes aggressive patients, so it’s important to have a support system in place to help you cope.
A psychiatric nurse typically works as part of a team that includes psychiatrists and social workers to diagnose and treat patients with various mental illnesses. They also provide emotional support and develop care plans for patients who may have more complex needs.
A psychiatric nurse can work in hospitals or in outpatient community settings. Hospitals are typically more stable than outpatient clinics and may offer weekend and overnight shifts.
Job description
As a mental health nurse, you help people with serious mental illnesses or behavioral issues. You may care for patients in psychiatric hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers and private practices.
Typical mental health nurse jobs require compassion and sensitivity to patients’ needs, as well as excellent communication skills. You might be tasked with teaching patients how to handle difficult situations and empower them to feel more self-sufficient in their daily lives.
Mental health nurses co-create, administer, and review evidence-based protocols that look to ameliorate psychiatric difficulties in order to promote sustainable healing. Ultimately, you aim to prevent patients from being readmitted to tertiary psychiatric hospitals.
Typically, mental health nurses work full-time in hospitals or residential care settings, though some also provide outpatient treatment. In these environments, you might be required to do shift work.
Education requirements
Mental health nurses typically receive a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). These degrees prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN and become licensed as a registered nurse.
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association notes that demand for mental health nurses is high, especially in light of the increased availability of health insurance and the decline of stigma surrounding mental illness. If you’re interested in this career, a good place to start is by volunteering in an agency that offers mental health services.
You can also pursue a graduate-level degree in mental health, such as a master’s degree or a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP). These advanced programs allow you to specialize in your field of study and earn higher pay.
Mental health nurses work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and health systems, clinics, independent psychiatric or psychological practices and government settings such as correctional facilities and military bases. They often do shift work and may travel to patients’ homes during the work day.
Work environment
Mental health nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including psychiatric hospitals and clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation facilities, and residential care homes. Their duties include counseling patients, conducting group sessions, and providing medication and advice.
The work environment of a mental health nurse is generally positive, but it can also be stressful. This is due to the high number of patients they treat, as well as the challenging situations they encounter.
To ensure they are working in a healthy and safe environment, nurses must be trained in risk assessment. In addition, the workplace must be free from discrimination and bullying, and a strong relationship with the patient is essential.
A study in British Columbia identified 13 work environment factors that are important predictors of mental health among nurses. The most predictive were balance, psychological protection and workload management.
