How to Master Behavioral Health Care with Certification?

In this article, our focus is on the journey to mastering behavioral health care through professional certification. We will delve into the roles of professionals in this field, detail how registered nurses can specialize in behavioral health care, and explore the different paths open to a registered nurse with professional development in mental health nursing. We will also outline the unique duties of a mental health nurse practitioner and how they differ from general nurse practitioners. Furthermore, we will guide you on how best to prepare for the certification exam in behavioral health care, providing insight into the structure of the exam and offering access to useful study resources and techniques. Lastly, we will highlight the myriad of career opportunities open for nurses in mental health care.

How Can A Registered Nurse Specialize in Behavioral Health Care?

Registered nurses have many opportunities to specialize in behavioral health care through further education, certification, and professional development. Some key ways RNs can gain expertise in mental health include becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse, pursuing a graduate degree to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, earning certification in psychiatric nursing, or taking continuing education courses in mental health care.

One route is to earn certification as a psychiatric-mental health registered nurse (PMHN) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This involves meeting eligibility requirements such as holding an active RN license and having 2 years' experience in the specialty. Then, RNs must pass a certification exam covering topics like therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and applying the nursing process in psychiatric care.

Many RNs also choose to enroll in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion programs with a focus or electives in mental/behavioral health. These programs allow nurses to expand their knowledge of psychiatric disorders, treatments, client assessment, and evidence-based care practices. BSN programs include clinical rotations in mental health facilities.

{{cta-light-with-no-image}}

What is the Role of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse?

Psychiatric-mental health registered nurses (PMHNs) provide comprehensive care to patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Their duties include assessing psychiatric symptoms and behaviors, developing individualized treatment plans, administering medications, providing talk therapy and education, and coordinating care with other providers.

PMHNs work in settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential treatment facilities, correctional facilities, schools, and crisis intervention services. They care for patients across the lifespan dealing with issues ranging from depression, trauma, and anxiety to schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addiction.

Registered nurses can become PMHNs through experience, on-the-job training, and certification. These RNs play a critical role in helping patients manage psychiatric disorders and improve their mental health.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for a BSN Program?

The main eligibility requirements for admission into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program include:

• Holding a current registered nurse (RN) license - RNs must have an active, unencumbered nursing license. Programs require students to maintain licensure throughout the program.
• Earning an associate degree or diploma in nursing - Applicants must have graduated from an accredited associate degree in nursing (ADN) or diploma nursing program.
• Transcripts and minimum GPA - Programs require transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended, and many require a minimum cumulative GPA around 2.5-3.0.
• Prerequisite courses - Common prerequisites are courses in English composition, statistics, psychology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nutrition.

BSN programs also require references, a resume, and a statement of purpose. Having experience working as an RN is preferred but not always required. The application involves submitting all required documentation by the deadline.

What can a Registered Nurse do with a Professional Development in Mental Health Nursing?

There are many benefits for RNs who pursue professional development and specialization in mental health nursing:

• Gain expertise in psychiatric care and working with patients who have mental health disorders or substance abuse issues.
• Take on greater responsibilities in assessing, planning interventions, and coordinating care for mental health patients.
• Qualify for jobs specifically seeking psychiatric RNs in mental health facilities, hospitals, clinics, and more.
• Explore opportunities to become a psychiatric nurse educator or leader shaping best practices.
• Build a rewarding career making a difference for a vulnerable patient population.

Professional development options include certification, targeted BSN programs, graduate degrees, training courses, and participating in conferences/groups for mental health nurses.

What Does a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Do?

Mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide specialized psychiatric and mental health care. Their responsibilities include:

• Performing mental health evaluations and physical exams on patients.
• Diagnosing psychiatric disorders like depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, eating disorders, and more.
• Developing holistic treatment plans that may include psychotherapy, medications, support services, and lifestyle changes.
• Prescribing, managing, and monitoring psychiatric medications and side effects.
• Providing different psychotherapy approaches like cognitive-behavioral and family/group therapy.
• Partnering with other professionals to coordinate whole-person care.
• Educating patients and families on mental health conditions and treatments.

PMHNPs serve diverse populations in hospitals, private practices, community clinics, correctional facilities, residential programs, schools, and veteran/military settings.

How does a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner differ from a General Nurse Practitioner?

While both are advanced practice nurses with similar graduate education, psychiatric NPs and general/family NPs have different specialties:

• Psychiatric NPs focus specifically on mental health conditions rather than general medical care.
• Psychiatric NPs conduct more in-depth mental health assessments, psychosocial histories, psychiatric medication management.
• General NPs focus on comprehensive primary care like infections, chronic disease, preventive care.
• General NPs have more advanced medical assessments, differential diagnosis, exams and treatment of physical health conditions.
• Psychiatric NPs undergo specialized psychotherapy and psychiatric pharmacology training.

While some overlap exists, psychiatric NPs have expertise in psychiatric disorders, therapy, and psychopharmacology, while general NPs specialize in primary care for physical health needs.

What are the Certification Requirements for a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

To become a certified PMHNP, the key requirements are:

• Completing an accredited Master of Science in Nursing program with a psychiatric nurse practitioner specialization. This includes didactic courses and supervised psychiatric clinical hours.
• Holding a current, unrestricted RN license and having worked a minimum of 2 years as an RN.
• Graduating from the MSN program and receiving verification from the director.
• Passing the national Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• Maintaining certification through ongoing continuing education on psychiatric advance practice nursing topics.

Meeting these credentialing requirements demonstrates the advanced knowledge and clinical skills needed to practice safely and effectively as a psychiatric mental health NP.

How does a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner differ from a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

Neonatal NPs and mental health NPs work with very different patient populations:

• Neonatal NPs care for newborns, infants, and toddlers, especially premature or ill babies in the NICU.
• Mental health NPs care for patients of all ages dealing with psychiatric disorders, mental illnesses, and substance abuse issues.
• Neonatal NPs focus on developmental care, managing complications of prematurity, pediatric illnesses.
• Mental health NPs focus on psychiatric diagnosis, therapy, psychopharmacology, and managing mental health conditions.
• Neonatal NPs have specialized skills in infant assessment, lab interpretation, pediatric pharmacology.
• Mental health NPs have specialized skills in psychotherapy approaches, psychiatric diagnosis and medications.

While both are advanced practice nurses, neonatal NPs and mental health NPs work in very different specialized areas of care.

How to Prepare for the Certification Exam in Behavioral Health Care?

Preparing for the psychiatric mental health nurse certification exam requires dedication and a strategic study plan. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

First, ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements set by the certification board. This typically includes holding an active RN license and a minimum number of practice hours in psychiatric nursing.

Next, choose a comprehensive review course. Options include in-person classes, online courses, and self-study programs. Review courses provide exam content outlines, practice questions, and test-taking strategies.

Understand the exam structure and format. The test often has 150-170 multiple choice questions covering topics like therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and psychiatric disorders. Questions may include clinical vignettes, so read each one thoroughly.

Allow enough time to study. Most nurses spend several weeks to a few months, studying 10-20 hours per week. Creating a study schedule and sticking to it is key.

Focus your review on your weak areas. Take practice tests to identify gaps in your knowledge. Use flashcards and mnemonics to memorize key facts, medications, and interventions.

Simulate the real testing environment. Take practice exams under timed conditions to build stamina and reduce test anxiety. This will help you manage time effectively on exam day.

What is the Structure of the Certification Exam in Behavioral Health Care?

The psychiatric mental health nurse certification exam is typically a multiple choice test with around 150-170 questions. Exam length varies between 3 to 4 hours.

Content areas covered include foundations of practice (25% of questions), assessment and diagnosis (20%), biological therapies and medication management (15%), psychotherapies and somatic therapies (15%), milieu and crisis interventions (10%), professional roles and issues (10%), and special populations (5%).

Question formats include standard multiple choice, select all that apply, hot spots, and drag and drop. Some questions may include charts, graphs or illustrations.

Candidates are evaluated on the key competencies required to provide safe and effective behavioral healthcare as a psychiatric mental health registered nurse.

How is Nursing Informatics Useful in the Certification Exam?

Nursing informatics helps integrate data, information and knowledge to inform psychiatric mental health nursing practice. It is an important part of the exam.

You need to understand electronic health records, standardized terminologies, clinical decision support systems, and telehealth. This knowledge helps you answer questions on documentation, care coordination, patient education, and ethical/legal issues.

Informatics improves clinical communication between the care team to enhance patient outcomes. You should also know about wearable devices, mobile health apps, social media, and virtual reality in mental health.

Overall, having strong nursing informatics skills allows you to make judicious use of technology in behavioral healthcare. This is tested in the certification exam.

What are some Useful Study Resources and Techniques for the Exam?

Useful study resources include comprehensive review courses, textbooks, practice questions banks, study guides, flashcards, and sample tests.

Read textbooks and course modules for foundational knowledge. Then focus on question banks and practice exams to apply this knowledge. Review flashcards daily to improve recall.

Effective techniques are summarizing and condensing notes, making mnemonics, talking through concepts aloud, and teaching peers. Solve questions without looking at options first. Review mistakes carefully.

Take mini practice tests on each content area weekly, and full-length exams monthly. Focus on time management and building exam stamina. Rest adequately between study sessions.

What Are the Career Opportunities for Mental Health Nurses?

With the growing need for mental health services, nurses have expanding career prospects across settings:

Hospitals: Work in inpatient psychiatric units, emergency departments, and medical-surgical floors providing behavioral care.

Outpatient: Provide care in mental health clinics, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and private practices.

Community: Work in shelters, group homes, schools, prisons, and rehabilitation programs as a behavioral health nurse.

Education: Teach psychiatric nursing in colleges and train healthcare professionals in behavioral interventions.

Leadership: Take roles as nurse manager, clinical director, or executive overseeing mental health services in facilities.

What Opportunities are available for Psychiatric Travel Nurse RN?

Travel nursing provides the opportunity to work temporary contracts across the country in various psychiatric settings while earning premium pay and benefits.

Inpatient psychiatric facilities, hospitals, addiction treatment centers, and correctional facilities frequently hire travel nurses to fill staffing gaps.

Contracts range from 8 to 26 weeks in desirable locations. Top agencies offer bonuses, housing, credential reimbursement, referral rewards and more.

Travel allows nurses to expand their competencies with diverse patient populations and use of cutting-edge technologies at prestigious facilities nationwide.

How is a Travel Nurse RN Different from a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse?

A psychiatric mental health registered nurse (PMH RN) provides care to patients with psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions. They have specialized skills and knowledge in mental healthcare.

A travel nurse RN takes temporary assignments around the country and floats between different facilities. They possess versatile clinical skills to adapt quickly to diverse settings.

Travel nurse RNs need flexibility, independence and a sense of adventure. Psychiatric mental health nurses require in-depth expertise in their specialty.

With postgraduate experience, PMH RNs can also pursue travel nursing opportunities while leveraging their behavioral health background.

Why Choose a Professional Certification in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing?

Earning a certification validates specialized knowledge and enhances professional credibility as a psychiatric mental health nurse.

It exhibits a higher level of clinical expertise in providing evidence-based behavioral healthcare.

Certification often leads to improved career prospects and earning potential. Many employers offer preferential hiring, promotions and compensation to certified nurses.

It also demonstrates commitment to excellence in nursing practice through continuing education and recertification requirements.

Overall, a professional certification cements you as a leader and expert in caring for patients with complex mental health needs.

‍