What Does a PMHNP Do? Roles, Work Settings, Salary & More in 2025
Mental health care is more in demand than ever, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are stepping up to meet that need. These advanced practice registered nurses specialize in mental health and psychiatric care, working across a wide range of settings and populations.
In this guide, you'll learn:
What a PMHNP does
Where PMHNPs can work
Whether PMHNPs take call
Opportunities for locum tenens PMHNPs
Salary expectations in 2025
What Is a PMHNP?
A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who is licensed to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, prescribe medications, and provide therapy. PMHNPs work with patients across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults and older adults.
PMHNPs must hold:
A Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree
Board certification through the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)
State licensure as an APRN with prescriptive authority
What Does a PMHNP Do?
PMHNPs offer comprehensive psychiatric care. Their scope of practice may include:
1. Mental Health Assessment
Conduct psychiatric evaluations
Diagnose mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
2. Medication Management
Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications
Educate patients on side effects, interactions, and adherence
3. Psychotherapy
Provide brief, supportive, or cognitive behavioral therapy
Collaborate with licensed therapists or psychologists as needed
4. Crisis Intervention
Evaluate and manage psychiatric emergencies
Coordinate hospitalization or crisis stabilization when necessary
5. Preventive Mental Health
Screen for early signs of mental illness
Promote wellness, coping strategies, and lifestyle changes
6. Coordination of Care
Work closely with primary care, social workers, and specialists
Refer to inpatient or specialty services when required
Where Do PMHNPs Work?
PMHNPs are in high demand across both public and private sectors. Common practice settings include:
🔹 Outpatient Mental Health Clinics
Provide ongoing medication management and therapy
Often structured with regular weekday hours
🔹 Hospitals and Inpatient Psychiatric Units
Assess, admit, and treat patients in acute psychiatric crisis
Collaborate with psychiatrists, therapists, and nursing staff
🔹 Primary Care Clinics or FQHCs
Integrate mental health care with primary care
Ideal for treating mild to moderate conditions in the community
🔹 Telepsychiatry / Virtual Care
Offer remote mental health services via video
Growing field with flexible schedules and national reach
🔹 Correctional Facilities
Treat incarcerated individuals with psychiatric needs
Often work with complex cases in secure environments
🔹 Colleges and Universities
Provide therapy and medication to students
Typically follow academic year schedules
🔹 Private Practice
Many PMHNPs open their own practices (in states with full practice authority)
Greater autonomy, flexibility, and earning potential
Do PMHNPs Take Call?
Yes — some PMHNPs are required to take on-call duties, depending on their setting.
When PMHNPs May Take Call:
Inpatient settings: Cover after-hours psychiatric admissions or emergencies
Community clinics or ACT teams: Provide urgent care support after hours
Private practice: May offer after-hours availability to clients for crisis management
What PMHNP Call Looks Like:
Rotating night or weekend shifts
Phone triage or telehealth support
Crisis evaluations or emergency room consults
Not all PMHNPs take call, especially those in outpatient-only or telehealth roles. For those who do, call pay or time off compensation should be offered.
Locum Tenens Opportunities for PMHNPs
A locum PMHNP works temporary assignments on a contract basis. This flexible career path is ideal for providers looking for variety, travel, or supplemental income.
Benefits of Being a Locum PMHNP:
Higher hourly pay than permanent roles
Flexible scheduling and assignment lengths
Travel to new cities or underserved areas
Minimal administrative burden compared to permanent roles
Common Locum PMHNP Settings:
Community mental health centers
Rural clinics and FQHCs
Inpatient psych hospitals
Correctional facilities
Telepsychiatry platforms
Locum PMHNPs are in strong demand nationwide due to ongoing mental health provider shortages.
PMHNP Salary in 2025
PMHNPs are among the top earners in advanced practice nursing, with salaries influenced by experience, setting, and location.
Average PMHNP Salary Range in 2025:
Entry-Level (0–2 yrs)$115,000 – $130,000/year
Mid-Career (3–10 yrs)$130,000 – $145,000/year
Experienced (10+ yrs)$145,000 – $165,000/year
🔹 Highest Paying Work Environments:
Inpatient psychiatry
Locum/contract roles
Private practice (especially with full practice authority)
🔹 States with Higher PMHNP Pay:
California
New York
Massachusetts
Washington
Alaska
Many PMHNPs also receive:
Productivity bonuses
Call pay or differential
Health and retirement benefits
Continuing education stipends
Final Thoughts
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are essential to closing the mental health care gap in the U.S. With diverse work environments, opportunities for autonomy, and strong income potential, PMHNPs play a vital role in treating mental illness and improving lives.
Whether you're considering becoming a PMHNP or hiring one, understanding the scope, flexibility, and value of the role is more important than ever.
In school to become a PMHNP? Congrats!
If you are interested in extra support to prepare for clinicals and for your boards - check out our course offerings covering those topics!