How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Specialist
Psychiatric nurse specialists are nurses specially trained to help care for emotionally and mentally disturbed people in psychiatric hospitals, assisted living facilities and other mental health care centers. If you are interested in getting into this field, it is important that you become aware of the certifications and requirements to become a specialist in psychiatric nursing.
- Obtain a degree in nursing. You need to obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing. Complete the required classroom courses and supervised clinical externships at a research university or hospital. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, then you can apply to an accelerated program which allows you to earn a Master of Science in nursing (MSN).
- Become a registered nurse. Upon completion of your bachelor's or Master's degree in nursing, you can take the licensing exam. Licensing requirements can vary by state, so contact your state's board of nursing to find out the requirements. Generally, you will be required to submit an application along with your college transcripts, pay the applicable fees and pass the licensing exam.
- Obtain an MSN degree in psychiatric and mental health. There are many programs that offer this degree in the United States. Contact the National Association of Clinical Nurses Specialists or visit their website to review a list of these specialist programs.
- Pass the certification exam. Submit an application to take this computer-based exam. You will be able to choose your preferred exam date and time. Topics covered in this exam assessment and diagnosis, mental health science, neurobiology and counseling principles. Once you have passed the exam, you will become certified as a psychiatric nurse specialist.
- Look for a job in the psychiatric nurse specialist field. Contact local psychiatric hospitals and other mental health care facilities to inquire about available openings. Visit job sites such as Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs.