Also called: Psych Nurse, Behavioral Health RN
Registered nurse who cares for patients with mental illness and substance use disorders.
Gives medications on an inpatient psychiatric unit, de-escalates an agitated patient with calm words, and runs a coping-skills group in the afternoon.
Estimate based on BLS registered nurses (May 2025 median about $95k); specialty and region shift pay.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. ADN or BSN, RN license, then experience in the specialty; certification optional.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Nursing.
Growing faster than average. Tracks registered nurses overall (faster than average).
Low risk for 10 years. AI may help with records and risk screening; de-escalating crises and building trust with patients stay human.
Classes: Psychology, Biology, Sociology, Health science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1141.
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.