What is a Psych Nurse?

A Psych nurse--also known as a mental health nurse–provides clinical care to patients affected by mental health and psychiatric issues. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) refers to psychiatric mental health nursing as “a specialty within nursing.” According to the APNA, “Psychiatric mental health registered nurses work with individuals, families, groups, and communities, assessing their mental health needs. The PMH nurse develops a nursing diagnosis and plan of care, implements the nursing process, and evaluates it for effectiveness. Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMH-APRNs) offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population. PMH-APRNs assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy. PMH-APRNs often own private practices and corporations as well as consult with groups, communities, legislators, and corporations.” 

Psych nurses work in a wide array of job settings, so psych nurse jobs can be found in hospitals, medical centers, therapeutic / recovery settings and other healthcare locations. 

Life of a Psych Nurse: What Does a Psych Nurse Do?

A psych nurse plays a key role in the mental health of each and every patient with whom he or she interacts. Psych nurse responsibilities and psych nurse job descriptions will vary but many have certain aspects in common that will not change.

The most typical psych nurse duties will be to complete physical and mental health assessments and perform diagnostic psychiatric testing. Psych nurses also have a very important responsibility of administering psychiatric medications. Patients on psych meds must be monitored closely in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

As a psych nurse you will almost always be part of a cohesive and comprehensive care team. This can include partnering with doctors, Psych techs, other nurses and many more healthcare professionals that work in the psych unit or psychiatric hospital.  

Why Travel as a Psych Nurse?

How many reasons are there to consider a psych travel nursing job? How much time do you have?

For one thing, a psych travel nurse salary can allow you to meet your financial goals. Travelnursing.com found that travel nurses can earn approximately 15 percent more than staff nurses. 

In addition to great pay, travel nursing opportunities for psych nurses provide a host of other benefits. Check out the many benefits of becoming a psychiatric travel nurse: 

• --Free, private housing or a generous housing allowance
• --Help with licensing and credentialing for psych nurses
• --Medical and dental benefits
• --401(k)
• --Tuition Assistance
• --And so much more...

Whether your goals are personal, professional or monetary--a career as a travel nurse can help you get there. Are you interested in a career as a psychiatric travel nurse? Sign up for our mobile job alerts to get job openings delivered straight to your phone!

Read More About Psych Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.