Psychiatric and mental health Nurse Practitioner


 * For information about the field, see Psychiatric and mental health nursing.

A Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP), also known as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, works in a primary care facility, outpatient mental health clinic or in a hospital or community health center. MHNPs evaluate and provide care for patients who have psychiatric disorders, medical mental conditions or substance abuse problems. They are licensed to provide emergency psychiatric services, psychosocial and physical assessment of their patients, treatment plans, and to continually manage patient care. They may also serve as consultants or as educators for families and staff; however, the MHNP has a greater focus on psychiatric diagnosis, including the differential diagnosis of medical disorders with psychiatric symptoms, and on medication treatment for psychiatric disorders.

Education
A nurse practitioner must obtain at least six years of college education. First the individual must take a four-year college degree, usually in nursing although there are programs called Masters Entry Level Nursing programs designed around individuals with a Bachelors degree outside of nursing. After obtaining their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, they must take the NCLEX-RN, the test for licensure as a registered nurse. Then, the candidate must complete a state-approved Masters Degree advanced nursing education program which includes at least 600 clinical hours. Individuals who choose a Masters Entry Level pathway will spend an extra year at the start of the program taking classes necessary to pass the NCLEX-RN. Some schools will issue a BSN; others will issue a certificate. The student then continues with the normal MSN program.

There are many schools that offer the education required for this profession. The cost of education can vary greatly. Some things that contribute to the varying costs are: Public vs. Private school; traditional vs. Masters entry level; and in-state vs. out-of-state tuition. For example, at UCSF the cost for the Masters program with in-state tuition is approximately $12,245 a year; for an out-of-state student the tuition is $24,798. The masters entry-level program is $27,000 a year.

The investment made in a MHNP education reaps its reward. The average salary for an MHNP in the United States is $75,711 per year. However, it varies between states and cities. On the west coast, the average is much higher. The average nurse practitioner salary in Fresno is $82,963; in Los Angeles is $84,837; and in Phoenix is $86,539. There is a wide variety of pay throughout the country. In addition to the base salary there can also be a wealth of benefits. Many Nurse Practitioners will receive excellent health and retirement benefits. Another benefit often provided to Nurse Practitioners is malpractice insurance, which can cost upwards of thousands of dollars a year.

A MHNP can practice in a wide variety of settings with a certain amount of freedom. In at least 20 states in the United States, a MHNP may own his or her own practice.