Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Role, Responsibilities & Career Outlook

Psychiatric nurse practitioners have the responsibilities of any other nurse, as well as additional responsibilities specific to their position, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Their pay reflects this additional work.

Providing Care

• Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide direct care to patients, according to the AACN. They assess new patients and help diagnose any mental disorders. Creating health plans for these patients and helping to implement them through therapy and medical treatment is part of the psychiatric nurse practitioner's job as well.

Additional Responsibilities

• Psychiatric nurse practitioners must coach other nurses in providing mental health care, as well as teaching patients and their family members about mental illness. They must monitor quality of care in the facility, providing praise or criticism when necessary.

Salary

• Psychiatric nurse practitioners are paid roughly $70,000 to $90,000 per year as of 2010, according to Pay Scale. These nurses make the most when working in hospitals, according to the site.