[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health nurses provide assessment and treatment for people with mental health conditions. Obtaining these positions requires experience and education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide covers the steps to becoming a mental health nurse, along with certification options and answers to questions like, “what is a mental health nurse?”, “what does a mental health nurse do?”, and “how much does a mental health nurse make?”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Mental Health Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Mental health nurses care for patients experiencing mental or behavioral health conditions. They work in hospitals, independent practices, clinics, and government settings such as military bases and jails.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Their work includes assessing patients, assisting with treatment plans, maintaining patient health records, and communicating with and educating patients and their loved ones.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Mental Health Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health nurses work in hospitals and health systems, clinics, inpatient treatment centers, independent psychiatric and psychological practices, and government settings such as correctional facilities and military bases. They may also work in disaster relief or similar humanitarian care settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Inpatient mental health settings[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administer treatments and medications, lead or assist in group discussions or sessions, conduct tests and assessments under medical supervision[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct certain mental health assessments, administer treatments and medications, update medical records, educate patients and loved ones on conditions and treatments[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Substance use treatment settings[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct patient assessments under medical supervision, lead or assist in group discussions or settings, monitor patient conditions, educate patients and loved ones, conduct follow-up interviews[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]How to Become a Mental Health Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first step in [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/mental-health-nurse/how-to-become/”]becoming a mental health nurse[/hen-ui-link] is earning a registered nurse (RN) license. You must earn an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) or a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) to become eligible to sit for the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]National Council Licensure Examination [/hen-ui-link](NCLEX-RN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning an ADN takes two years. Earning a BSN takes four years, as it covers more materials in greater depth. If you plan to earn a master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner, the BSN is more valuable.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, there are [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/rn-msn/”]RN-to-MSN programs[/hen-ui-link] if a two-year degree is the best choice for you. After graduating, you must pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]NCLEX-RN examination[/hen-ui-link] and apply for a state license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As with other nursing jobs, entry-level mental health nurses receive extensive on-the-job training from their employers. Once they have gained experience, many mental health nurses pursue certifications, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While certification is not a legal requirement to work as a mental health nurse the way that an RN license is, it demonstrates your knowledge and experience. Many employers require or strongly prefer certifications for higher-level mental health nurse positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you want even more growth potential in mental health nursing, explore becoming a [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/psychiatric-np-programs-online/”]psychiatric nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link]. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are licensed to diagnose and prescribe treatments, which means more autonomy and likely a higher salary.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]How Much Do Mental Health Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/mental-health-nurse/”]Mental health nurse salaries[/hen-ui-link] range from $51,000 – $95,000 annually, with an average annual salary of $68,000 and average hourly salary of $32.87, according to August 2022 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatric_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale data[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like other nursing jobs, factors affecting mental health nurse salaries include local demand and cost of living, experience and education, and responsibilities, including supervisory responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions about Mental Health Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become a mental health nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least two years to become a mental health nurse. You must earn a two-year ADN and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn an RN license. A BSN degree takes four years, but is often more valuable for career advancement. Many nurses obtain one to two years of clinical experience before pursuing a role in mental health nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Who do mental health nurses work with?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health nurses work with psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, and other nurses. They may also work with social workers, clergy, and other partners who contribute to healthcare but are not healthcare workers themselves.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What kind of conditions do mental health nurses care for?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health nurses care for patients with mental or behavioral conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may work with pediatric, adult, or gerontological patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is certification required for mental health nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certification is not legally required for mental health nurses the way that a nursing license is, but many employers require or strongly prefer it, especially for higher-level or supervisory positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed: August 21, 2022[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”33995,38827,33965″][/hen-ui-article-row]