Also called: PMHNP, Psych NP
An advanced-practice nurse who diagnoses mental health conditions and prescribes medications.
Holds 30-minute medication check-ins all day, many over telehealth: adjusting an antidepressant, starting ADHD treatment for a college student, and coordinating with therapists. One of the fastest ways into prescribing mental healthcare.
Estimate; above general NP pay due to demand.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 7 years after high school. RN plus a master's or doctorate as a psychiatric NP and board certification.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Nursing (BSN), Nursing (MSN/DNP).
Growing much faster than average (about 35% over 10 years). Combined APRN group projection (2024-34).
Low risk for 10 years. AI handles charting and refill reminders; evaluating patients and adjusting medications stays a licensed clinician's call.
Classes: Biology, AP Psychology, Chemistry, Health-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1171.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.