Nurses are some of the hardest-working people you'll ever meet. They work long hours, they work weekends, and they often work in incredibly stressful situations. But do mental health nurses get paid more?
No, registered mental health nurses do not get paid more. According to Indeed.com, mental health nurses have an average salary of $72,094 per year—which is less than the average registered nurse salary (about $89,700).In this post, we'll be exploring some of the common questions people have about mental health nurses salary.
Who Are Mental Health Nurses?
Let’s start with the basics: who are mental health nurses? What do they do?
Mental health nurses are health care professionals who help people with mental health illness and emotional problems. They provide support to their patients, as well as educate them on their condition and the best ways to manage it.
Mental health nurses are responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. They may also be involved in counseling patients with substance abuse problems or those who need help quitting smoking.
These nurses provide support for patients throughout their treatment programs and teach them how to manage their conditions independently once they leave rehab centers or hospitals.
The following are some examples of the type of work that mental health nurses do:
- Assess patients' needs by talking with them about how they feel, what has happened to them recently and how they think others perceive them.
- Diagnose patients' conditions based on their symptoms and medical history.
- Treat patients with medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, or cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.
Where Do Mental Health Nurses Work?
Mental health nurses work in various settings and are often employed by private hospitals or nonprofit organizations. Mental health nurses can also work at schools, prisons, rehabilitation centers, and social service agencies.
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Mental health nurses are often involved in direct patient care, such as providing therapy sessions to patients with mental illnesses or counseling them on how to cope with their conditions.
Mental health nurses work closely with other medical professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists, to ensure that patients receive proper treatment for their conditions.
What Is the Average Mental Health Nurse's Salary?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average mental health nurse salary in the United States is around $77,683, with a median salary of $67,000. That’s a pretty good amount of money for those considering a career in nursing.
Of course, it’s essential to keep in mind that this is an average, and your payment will vary depending on where you live and which position you hold within the field.
What Are The Highest Paying States For Mental Health Nurses?
The top states for mental health nurse salaries are:
States | Annual Wage |
Vermont | $105,709 |
Maine | $105,575 |
Nevada | $108,693 |
Washington | $102,144 |
Rhode Island | $105,943 |
California | $109,423 |
Michigan | $95,946 |
Arizona | $99,652 |
Idaho | $97,631 |
New Hampshire | $106,740 |
Massachusetts | $106,618 |
Pennsylvania | $98,809 |
Ohio | $90,573 |
Connecticut | $104,214 |
Oregon | $103,863 |
Alaska | $96,974 |
Wisconsin | $92,456 |
Delaware | $97,538 |
Utah | $95,670 |
What Are the Highest-Paying Mental Health Nurse Jobs?
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying mental health jobs are:
Mental Health Nurse Jobs | Average Annual Salary |
Nurse Practitioner Psychiatry | $104,500 - $150,000 |
Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist | $89,000 - $144,500 |
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse | $84,000 - $125,000 |
Psych RN | $74,500 - $100,500 |
Mental Health Nurse | $54,500 - $78,500 |
How Do I Become a Mental Health Nurse?
The following steps will guide you through the process of becoming a mental health nurse:
Step #1. Enroll in Nursing School
The first step in becoming a mental health nurse is to get your nursing degree. Nursing degrees are available at many different levels and include two-year associate's degrees, four-year bachelor's degrees, and graduate programs.
Mental health nurses have to have a minimum of an associate's degree, so if you don't have one yet, you'll need to enroll in an associate's degree program before applying for the master's program.
Step #2. Get Licensed
The second step is to gain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). In most states, this requires graduating from an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Some states also require continuing education for licensure renewal.
Step #3. Earn Your Certificate
Now it’s time to get certified; there are several organizations that offer certification programs in the United States and abroad.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers an online education program for those who want to be certified as mental health specialists. In addition, the ANCC offers certification for psychiatric-mental health nurses and generalist nurses who want to specialize in this area of nursing practice.
Step #4. Start Applying For Jobs
Now that you’ve successfully earned your certification. You can start searching for jobs.
Here are some tips on how to apply for jobs:
- Apply directly to the employer – this is usually done via email, telephone, or in-person. Also, check job boards and recruitment agencies. If you have a specific job in mind and want to know more about it before applying, contact the employer directly and ask for an application form.
- Write a good cover letter – make sure your cover letter clearly explains why you want this job and why you are suitable for it. Include relevant experience and skills, but don't exaggerate or brag because this will look unprofessional! Your resume should follow the same format as other candidates' CVs.
See Also: How to Put Together the Most Irresistible New Grad Nurse Resume
How Long Does it Take to Become a Mental Health Nurse?
The typical length of a psychiatric nursing degree program is 4-6 years. However, some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in just two years.
In addition, many colleges offer the option of earning an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing (DN) if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field.
If you have a bachelor's degree and want to earn your master's degree in mental health nursing, expect to spend approximately two years getting your master's degree.
Nursing students must complete both classroom instruction and clinical experience before they are eligible to take their licensing exam; this typically takes between 12 and 18 months.
While studying for their exams and completing the clinical experience, students will also participate in an externship program where they will spend time working in an actual nursing setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
How Can Registered Psychiatric Nurses Increase Their Salary?
If you are interested in raising your salary as a psychiatric nurse, keep these tips in mind:
Take Continuing Education Courses
One of the best ways to increase your salary as a mental health nurse is through continuous learning through continuing education courses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately half of all nurses hold certification from one professional organization or another.
These certifications are usually offered through universities, hospitals, or private companies specializing in healthcare training for professionals in specific fields, such as nursing or social work (www.bls.gov).
Move Up the Career Ladder
Registered psychiatric nurses don’t have many opportunities for advancement, but they do exist — especially at larger hospitals or healthcare organizations with multiple facilities across a region or state.
For example, an RPN might move up from staff nurse to charge nurse at one facility before getting promoted again to supervisor or manager at another location within the same company or system
Gain Experience
The more experience you have as an RPN, the better you'll be at your job.
You'll be able to diagnose patients' problems more quickly and efficiently, which means less time spent on each patient and more time for other duties like education and counseling.
You'll also be able to perform specific procedures independently rather than relying on another nurse's assistance.
Work Overtime and Weekends
Nurses who work more hours get paid more money because employers have to pay extra for their time away from home during regular business hours.
Work for a Company That Pays Bonuses
Bonuses are not common in the healthcare industry, but they do exist. If you work for a company that pays bonuses, consider yourself lucky.
You can increase your salary by working hard and ensuring your company is successful.
Difference Between General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing
The main difference is that general nursing is focused on the physical health of the patient, while mental health nursing focuses on the mental illness of a patient.
The role of a general nurse is to offer support and comfort to patients in order to improve their health.
In contrast, the main goal of mental health nurses is to provide treatment for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
In addition to this, a mental health nurse will also provide support for those who suffer from addiction problems like drug abuse or alcoholism.
General nurses are expected to be able to handle all types of patients, including those with physical disabilities or medical conditions such as heart failure, asthma, diabetes, and cancer.
They also need to be able to work well under pressure and have excellent communication skills to interact effectively with their patients and other members of staff at all times.
Mental health nurses often help patients recover from traumatic events such as rape or assault by providing them with counseling services and helping them deal with their emotions appropriately so that they can return back into society without any further problems occurring again in the future.
Generally speaking, the hours worked by both types of nurses are similar. Still, there are some slight variations depending on whether they work in an acute hospital setting or long-term care facility.
What Field of Nursing Pays the Most?
The following are some of the highest-paying nursing fields:
Nursing Fields | Average Annual Salary |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $202,000 |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $131,000 |
Cardiac Nurse Practitioner | $120,000 |
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner | $119,000 |
Oncology Nurse Practitioner | $119,000 |
General Nurse Practitioner | $118,000 |
Family Nurse Practitioner | $116,000 |
Nurse Midwife | $114,000 |
Clinical Nurse Specialist | $113,000 |
Conclusion - Do Mental Health Nurses Get Paid More?
So there you have it: Nursing salaries are up, and mental health nurses are not making more money than their peers. But does that mean they're paid less for the same work? Not necessarily.
Whether or not mental health nurses get paid more for the same work as all other nurses depends on where they're working—and how much experience they have.
That's why it's so important to do your research before accepting any position in the field of nursing.
And if you want to find out how much money you should be making for what you do, we can help with that too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Nurse Salary
Q: Is psychiatric nursing hard?
A: Yes, but it's worth it. The field is constantly changing, and you'll have to keep up with the latest research and best practices. But if you're passionate about helping others, being a psychiatric nurse will be an incredible experience!
Q: Is certification required for mental health nurses?
A: No—you don't have to have any formal training to be a mental health nurse. However, many employers look favorably upon those who have taken courses in their field of expertise and received formal certification from an accredited school or program.
Q: How much does a mental health nurse make in an hour?
A: The average hourly wage for psychiatric nurses is $37 per hour.
