Explore This Path

Psychiatric Nurse

💰 Earn $120K-$172K

📚 Master Degree

⏱️ 48 Month Training

📈 4.9% Job Growth

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.

What Psychiatric Nurses DoAssess, 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.

Psychiatric Nurses Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationMaster Degree

Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training TimeOver 4 years

Job Openings189,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$140,330 in California

$93,600 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Real Talk Reel

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Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving

you value

Having support
Job security
Personal relationships

you are skilled in

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing

Go Deeper: Psychiatric Nurses Explained

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

How Do You Train for This Career?

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

Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years

Bachelor's DegreeA 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

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