What is Psychiatric Nursing?

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Psychiatric nursing can be broken down in to two classifications as determined by difficulty and /or level of attention required: basic and advanced. Basic psychiatric nursing includes working with families, individuals, communities, groups and assessing mental health needs from development of a nursing diagnosis and plan for nursing care to implantation of the plan and constant evaluation of the nursing care that is provided.

Basic level psychiatric nursing care is characterized by interventions that sustain and promote physical and mental health as well as assist clients to improve or regain their coping abilities and skills and to prevent future disability.

Basic level psychiatric nurses are more likely to assist patients with self care, as well as monitor and administer psychobiologic treatment plans. Basic psychiatric nursing care may also include teaching about mental health individually or in groups. These types of nursing professionals are also trained to deal with crises intervention and case management.

Advanced practice registered nurses typically have master’s degrees in psychiatric or mental health nursing and take professional roles such as Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMHN) is considered a nursing specialty. Typically, a specialty is a major



part of a master’s degree nursing program.

In addition to basic mental health nursing functions, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse diagnoses, assesses and treats families and individuals that are suffering form disorders or problems having to do with mental or even social issues with a family or group.

Advanced mental health care professionals function in a wide range of roles, including educators, psychotherapists, consultants, case managers, and administrators. In many states APRNs also have the authority to prescribe medications and are allowed to practice mental and physical health treatment independently.


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