Psychiatric Nurse

Explore This Path

Help individuals overcome mental health challenges and improve their quality of life.
Make a meaningful impact by diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Engage in diverse therapeutic activities, including psychotherapy and medication.

💰 Earn $120K-$172K

📚 Master Degree

⏱️ 48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 4.9% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Master Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

Over 4 years

Job Openings

189,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$140,330 in California

$93,600 Nationally

$25K

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Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing

You value 🙏

Having support
Job security
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Psychiatric Nurse

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Hybrid College

A hybrid college combines online learning with the student support typically offered on college campuses, giving students flexibility and accessibility while still providing a comprehensive educational experience.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-5 years

Find Training Near You

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Learn More About The Industry

Healthcare

The primary activities of this group involve delivering medical care and support to patients, including diagnosing illness, treating injuries, administering medication, assisting with daily living activities, and completing corresponding administrative tasks.