Mental health nursing is a specialized career for those desiring to advocate and care for individuals and families affected by psychiatric conditions. Succeeding in this field requires a unique set of mental health nursing skills. Fast facts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness demonstrate the prevalence of mental health conditions in America, with 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 U.S. youth experiencing mental illness each year.

Do you want to advance your nursing career in mental health care? Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) prevent, identify and treat mental illnesses in people of all ages, helping them achieve positive change and personal growth.

If you have asked yourself, “what is it like to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner?”, read on to explore the job duties, challenges and rewards of the PMHNP profession, plus the steps to become one.