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Career Adventures Await: The Growing Demand for Psych Nurse Travel Jobs

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The field of psychiatric nursing has seen an invigorating shake-up in recent years, caused by the integration of cross-region mobility and need-based deployment. By merging the dynamic nature of travel jobs with the acute need for psychiatric caregivers, an exciting new career path came to exist— Psych nurse travel jobs . These opportunities come with their perks and challenges while molding the future trends of the profession. Accompany us on this journey as we discuss the role, demand, potential, and constraints of this emerging field.

Understanding the Role and Demand for Psychiatric Nurse Travel Jobs

Psychiatric nurses, also known as mental health nurses, play a critical role in caring for patients struggling with behavioral health issues and mental illnesses. They work closely with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to provide comprehensive treatment and care to those in need.

In recent years, the demand for psychiatric nurses has surged across the country. Factors like rising mental health issues, a shortage of psychiatrists, and increasing emphasis on community-based mental healthcare have led healthcare employers to rely more on psychiatric nurses.

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What is a Psychiatric Nurse and What Do They Do?

Psychiatric nurses have specialized training to care for patients with mental health problems like depression, anxiety, addiction, and schizophrenia. Their main duties include:

• Assessing and diagnosing patients
• Developing treatment plans
• Administering medications
• Providing counseling and psychotherapy
• Coordinating care with doctors and social workers

Psych nurses need excellent communication and listening skills to understand patient needs. They must also be able to manage difficult behaviors and de-escalate agitated or aggressive patients.

An Unprecedented Surge in Demand for Psych Nurse Travel Jobs

The growing mental health crisis and psychiatry shortage have increased the demand for travel nurses specializing in psychiatric care. Healthcare employers are offering lucrative travel nursing packages to fill gaps in staffing.

Some key factors driving the demand include:

• National rise in mental health issues, suicide rates, and substance abuse
• Shortage of psychiatrists leading to increased reliance on psych nurses
• Inadequate access to behavioral care in rural and underserved communities
• High turnover and vacancies in psychiatric nursing positions
• Increased beds in behavioral health units, hospitals, and residential treatment facilities

As a result, skilled psych nurses willing to relocate for 13-week contracts have abundant choices for high-paying travel assignments across the country.

Why Are Psychiatric Nurses Embracing Travel Opportunities?

For many psychiatric nurses, the chance to take on travel nurse jobs allows them to gain valuable experience while enjoying an exciting lifestyle.

Key advantages of working as a traveling psych nurse include:

• Earning significantly higher salaries than staff nurses
• Gaining exposure to different psychiatric conditions and care settings
• Having flexibility and adventure of a nomadic lifestyle
• Getting furnished housing and travel reimbursements
• Avoiding workplace politics and burnout
• Networking with new healthcare professionals across states

Additionally, travel psychiatric nurses can choose locations based on climate, amenities, pay packages, and professional growth opportunities.

Perks and Challenges of Being a Travelling Psych Nurse

Exciting benefits of being a psych nurse traveler.

From professional to personal rewards, travel psychiatric nursing offers nurses many advantages:

• Lucrative packages: Psychiatric travelers earn weekly gross salaries far higher than staff nurses.
• Free housing: Everything from hotel rooms to fully furnished condos is covered.
• Paid expenses: From meals to flights, companies reimburse travel costs.
• Continuing education: Many contracts offer training programs.
• Schedule control: Travelers pick locations and assignment durations.
• Adventure: Explore exciting new places during weekends off.
• Independence: As contractors, nurses have freedom over assignments.

Overall, psychiatric travel nurses can take their careers across the country while enjoying attractive incentives, flexibility, and financial security.

The Road less Traveled: Redefining The Concept of Workplace

An appealing aspect of travel nursing is the chance to continuously change the work environment. Unlike staff nurses:

• Travelers work in different hospitals, cities, and states every few months.
• They collaborate with new teams, doctors, and fellow nurses at each contract.
• There is no chance of monotony, stagnancy or complacency setting in.

This dynamic and ever-evolving workplace allows psychiatric travel nurses to hone adaptability while avoiding burnout. They can experience diverse psychiatric care settings ranging from children's hospitals to correctional facilities.

Challenges faced by Psychiatric Nurses on The Go

Despite the many advantages, psychiatric travel nurses also deal with some unique challenges:

• Lack of orientation: With little onboarding at new facilities, travelers must adapt quickly.
• Isolation: Frequent moves can mean limited chances to build relationships.
• Changing environments: Adapting to new EMR systems, organizational workflows, and staff can be tiring.
• No job security: Contracts end so nurses must continually seek new assignments.
• Self-sufficiency: Travelers handle travel logistics, licensing, expenses, and taxes alone.

However, most psychiatric travel nurses feel the benefits outweigh the concerns. With smart planning and priorities, travel nursing lets psych nurses gain invaluable experience while seeing the country.

Future Trends: The Rising Sphere of Psychiatric Nurse Travel Jobs

The field of psychiatric nursing is rapidly evolving. One of the most notable shifts is the rise in demand for travel positions and remote work opportunities. As telehealth continues to expand access to mental healthcare, nurses with psychiatric specialties are needed across the country. For those ready to take their career on the road, a wealth of adventures await.

Incorporating Telepsychiatry: A New Way Forward for Psych Nurse Travel Jobs

Telepsychiatry is transforming how mental healthcare is delivered. Through video conferencing and other technologies, patients can conveniently access psychiatric services from home. This allows nurses with telepsychiatry training to provide care remotely from anywhere with an internet connection.

Travel nurses with expertise in telehealth platforms like Zoom and experience providing compassionate virtual care are highly sought after. As telepsychiatry becomes more widespread, these specialized skills will be a major advantage for landing the most coveted travel nursing assignments.

The Impact of the COVID-19 on The Future Trajectory of Travel Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented demand for travel nurses of all specialties. However, even as the pandemic wanes, the appeal of travel nursing remains strong. Many nurses discovered a newfound flexibility and enjoyment of exploring different regions and healthcare settings.

Additionally, extensive pandemic-related mental health needs have underscored the importance of psychiatric care access. Travel nurses help fill gaps in local psychiatric nursing staff quickly. The ongoing high demand for travel nurses post-pandemic points to exciting new career directions for psychiatric nurses seeking travel opportunities.

Adapting And Thriving: Shaping The Future of Psychiatric Care

Travel nurses gain exposure to a diverse range of clinical settings and patient populations. This breadth of experience allows psychiatric travel nurses to rapidly acquire new skills and perspectives. Bringing these insights back home enriches local psychiatric practices.

For example, working in underserved rural areas could inspire creative solutions for improving mental health access. Experience with varied age groups and cultural backgrounds also helps psychiatric travel nurses fine-tune their approach to build rapport and trust with different patients.

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Psychiatric Travel Nursing Jobs

Jobs listing, psychiatric job description.

Psychiatric Job Requirements

What is a psychiatric nurse.

First of all, there are two primary types of psychiatric nurses or career paths you can take. First, you can  work as a psych registered nurse . You can also work in more advanced roles like a psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric/mental health advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Mental health nurses are essentially specialized nurses who focus on caring for those with mental illness’s psychological and physical well-being.

They also support the family members and friends of those with mental health conditions. Psych nurses may assess mental health needs and develop nursing plans for care.

National average salary:  $74,651 per year with about $12,125 extra in overtime

Job outlook:  26% increase by 2022

Where Do Psych Nurses Work?

Like with other medical professions, psychiatric nurses find themselves working in both inpatient and outpatient care. These can be hospitals or psychiatric facilities that offer inpatient treatment. Or outpatient care in the patient’s home or a local clinic. Psych nurses have a bit more independence in terms of where they can work. They can also work with a wider variety of patients on their own, making outpatient care a standard option for many.

Other work settings for psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHN) include rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, mental health agencies, schools, colleges of nursing, and military clinics or hospitals.

What Kind of Patients Are On A Psychiatric Unit?

Although psych nurses work with patients all over the place, they can work with almost every segment of the population. Patients in this unit can be children, adolescents, adults, and older people. They often work with people with substance use disorders and those with eating disorders, among other mental illnesses.

What Does a Psych Nurse Do?

Unlike other traditional nurses, psych nurses don’t treat any conditions. Instead, they work with a larger group of health care professionals to develop and implement care plans. Psych nurses can work with anyone who has a mental or behavioral condition that’s negatively impacting their life.

Depending on the path someone chooses, their duties will vary. The psych nurse essentially develops a nursing diagnosis and a plan of care, implements the treatment plan, and evaluates its effectiveness. On the other hand, APRNs also offer primary care and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, sometimes even offering psychotherapy.

Most responsibilities include:

• Prescribe medications if needed
• Administer medications
• Implement nursing care plans
• Assist in basic needs
• Facilitate group therapy
• Create treatment plans
• Offer psychotherapy
• Coordinate with families, doctors, and other health professionals
• Provide self-care
• Evaluate mental health needs of patients

How Do You Become a Psych Nurse?

A career as a psychiatric nurse can be gratifying and exciting. The path starts by earning either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing. There, prospects need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to become a registered nurse (RN). After this, many try to spend some time building up nursing skills before moving to a psychiatric nursing path.

It’s possible to work in psychiatry without certification. However, there are some certifications and advanced practices that can help. Those who wish to continue their education can become an advanced training registered nurse (APRN) to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Common certifications:

• Psychiatric-mental Health Nursing RN-BC Credential

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Psych Nurse?

It takes a specific combination of skills to become successful as a psych nurse. Communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills are at the essence. However, setting healthy boundaries and excellent technical skills will also be beneficial. Psychiatric nurses are very hands-on with daily monitoring of their patients, requiring patience, empathy, and organization.

Most common skills for psych nurses include:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Extensive knowledge about medication effects and interactions
• A critical eye for signs of deteriorating mental processes or advancing mental illness
• Exceptional coordination and collaborative skills
• Good problem solving and adaptability skills

Benefits Of Traveling With Stability Healthcare

Travel nurse salary & benefits, career benefits.

Psychiatric nurses have a unique career filled with ups and downs. If you’re interested in a psychiatric nursing career, these are the steps you need to get started. Also, due to psych nurses’ nature and their flexibility, mental health nurses are often highly coveted travel nurses who can move freely across the country. At  Stability Healthcare , we place nurses in hospitals across the United States, helping them find their perfect roles. See our  open jobs  today!

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The response time from my recruiter and nurse specialist is amazing! They both have been so great to work with on my first assignment out in California!!! Chad and Samantha both are super caring and very responsive! I already extended my contract with the hospital because of the smooth process. They made the transition from Florida to California a lot loss stressful than I imagined. Would definitely recommend them both!!!

My recruiter, and other staff I have had the pleasure of interacting with, are all so friendly and helpful. My recruiter is responsive, and even reached out while she was on vacation to check on me! I’ve worked with other agencies in the past, but Stability is next level when it comes to making your travel nursing experience as seamless as possible! Special shout out to Lindsay (best recruiter ever) and Tracy. Amazing people to work with.

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My recruiter is very responsive and personable. I have NEVER had any issues with them!! This agency even has PTO! None of my co workers with other agencies have this benefit!! Also the rates are equal or higher than most other agencies!! Everything feels more like family than business and for that I would choose stability over any other agency!! I am so happy I chose to work with them!

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My recruiter Amanda is amazing and always timely with her responses. Debbie who is my nurse experience specialist who is with me all times of the contract is truly awesome. Love how responsive she is and will answer any and all my questions. Big thanks to Jesse my compliance coordinator for making all the appointments and getting me travel ready. Can’t thank my team enough for all they do. Any question or issue I have they resolve right away. And I love that they breakdown each contract into a spread so you know exactly what your getting for the terms of the contract.

I have been incredibly impressed by the professionalism, ease of communication, ability to have all requirements for onboarding fulfilled in a timely manner, and just overall outstanding service. Lindsay Hernandez is my particular recruiter and she has been a pleasure to work with, as well as all the team members at Stability. I’m looking forward to staying with them for my next assignment. I highly recommend them to my nursing friends, and anyone looking to travel as a nurse!

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TravelNursing

What is a Psych Nurse?

A Psych nurse--also known as a mental health nurse–provides clinical care to patients affected by mental health and psychiatric issues. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) refers to psychiatric mental health nursing as “a specialty within nursing.” According to the APNA, “Psychiatric mental health registered nurses work with individuals, families, groups, and communities, assessing their mental health needs. The PMH nurse develops a nursing diagnosis and plan of care, implements the nursing process, and evaluates it for effectiveness. Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMH-APRNs) offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population. PMH-APRNs assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy. PMH-APRNs often own private practices and corporations as well as consult with groups, communities, legislators, and corporations.” 

Psych nurses work in a wide array of job settings, so psych nurse jobs can be found in hospitals, medical centers, therapeutic / recovery settings and other healthcare locations. 

Life of a Psych Nurse: What Does a Psych Nurse Do?

A psych nurse plays a key role in the mental health of each and every patient with whom he or she interacts. Psych nurse responsibilities and psych nurse job descriptions will vary but many have certain aspects in common that will not change. 

The most typical psych nurse duties will be to complete physical and mental health assessments and perform diagnostic psychiatric testing. Psych nurses also have a very important responsibility of administering psychiatric medications. Patients on psych meds must be monitored closely in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

As a psych nurse you will almost always be part of a cohesive and comprehensive care team. This can include partnering with doctors, Psych techs, other nurses and many more healthcare professionals that work in the psych unit or psychiatric hospital.  

Why Travel as a Psych Nurse?

How many reasons are there to consider a psych travel nursing job? How much time do you have?

For one thing, a psych travel nurse salary can allow you to meet your financial goals. Travelnursing.com found that travel nurses can earn approximately 15 percent more than staff nurses. 

In addition to great pay, travel nursing opportunities for psych nurses provide a host of other benefits. Check out the many benefits of becoming a psychiatric travel nurse: 

• Free, private housing or a generous housing allowance
• Help with licensing and credentialing for psych nurses
• Medical and dental benefits
• Tuition Assistance
• And so much more...

Whether your goals are personal, professional or monetary--a career as a travel nurse can help you get there. Are you interested in a career as a psychiatric travel nurse? Sign up for our mobile job alerts to get job openings delivered straight to your phone!

Read More About Psych Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.

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Psychiatric Nurse: In-Demand Specialty for Travel Nursing Jobs

Psychiatric nurses work with patients who have been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders or who have demonstrated the potential for psychiatric disorders. The unique environment in which they serve means psychiatric nurses must be independent and self-confident as well as patient and kind. They must be strong enough to provide support in the midst of unexpected and unpredictable patient responses.

As mental illness becomes less stigmatized and society grows increasingly vested in mental health support, demand for psychiatric nurses will continue to grow. This is particularly true in light of the national nursing shortage which impacts all nursing specialty areas. Further, as psychiatric patient loads have increased the number of trained and licensed psychiatrists has decreased , leading to a need for psychiatric nurses to fill the gap. This demand will make travel psychiatric nurse skills valuable to a wide range of facilities around the country and expand the opportunities available to them.

RN’s can earn up to $2,300 per week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!

What is a Psychiatric Nurse?

Psychiatric nurses evaluate and assess patients who show the potential for or have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. They work as part of a collaborative team that includes psychiatrists, physicians in other specialty areas and other mental health specialists. In this role, they assist with diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients; prove basic nursing care like helping patients to dress, groom and take their medications; follow treatment plans; and teach patients how to deal with the challenges they are facing. They work with patients who have anxiety disorders; post-traumatic stress; mood disorders; eating disorders; issues with substance abuse; and patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Psychiatric nurses can work in inpatient, outpatient and residential treatment centers. Their work environments can include hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, home healthcare companies, prisons, the courts, outpatient mental health organizations, schools and private practices. Some of these environments require they work 12-hour shifts while others allow for 8-hour shifts.

No matter their professional environment, psychiatric nurses work with patients facing complex emotions and challenges. They must be good communicators and good listeners, and be empathetic and open while remaining strong. To protect themselves from becoming overly involved in what is happening with their patients, self-care is particularly important .

One way these professionals can achieve balance is through the change of scenery and new challenges that come from being a psychiatric travel nurse.

Psychiatric Nurse Salary and Job Growth Potential

According to Indeed.com , the average annual salary for a psychiatric nurse is $109,915.

There are many variables that can impact compensation, including the years of experience and the type of facility in which they work.

Different regions tend to offer different levels of pay, and psychiatric nurses can increase their earnings beyond their base salary through profit sharing, working overtime and on-call hours, and signing on for shift differentials.

The average annual salary for a psychiatric nurse is $109,915.

Psychiatric nurses are highly valued by the organizations for which they work, and the national nursing shortage combined with the increased recognition of the need for mental health care has resulted in a surge in demand for their services.

As a result, many facilities across the country are recruiting for psychiatric nurse professionals, and have turned to travel psychiatric nurses to help them bridge the gap and provide much-needed relief to full-time staff.

Top Paying Cities for Psychiatric Nurses in 2021

According to Indeed.com , here are the best paying cities for case management nurses in 2021:

• Washington, DC: $156,071 per year
• Philadephia, PA: $119,83 per year
• Austin, TX: $99,013 per year
• Houston, TX: $97,191 per year
• Phoenix, AZ: $96,945 per year

Click here to find psychiatric travel nurse assignments available today!

Psychiatric Nurse Education Requirements, Certifications and Professional Groups

An aspiring psychiatric nurse begins by earning either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and getting licensed. A Registered Nurse can then apply for positions working with psychiatric patients, and eventually pursue a psychiatric-mental health certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) . To qualify, nurses must have two years of experience as a full-time Registered Nurse and at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the field of mental health or psychiatric nursing within the previous three years. They also must complete 30 or more hours of continuing education during that time period. The certification, once earned, gives the nurse a 5-year designation as a Registered Nurse-Board Certified.

There are additional specialty certifications psychiatric nurses can pursue, including ones focused on pediatric, adolescent or geriatric populations. Psychiatric nurses can also pursue advanced practice nurse degrees such as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or can become Psychiatric Mental-Health Clinical Nurse Specialists. Nurses interested in becoming part of the largest professional membership organization for psychiatric mental health nurses can join the American Psychiatric Nurses Association , which is dedicated to empowering established, emerging and prospective psychiatric nurses.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Psychiatric Nurse

Pros of psychiatric nursing.

• Ability to offer immediate help and support to patients who are suffering from severe distress
• Rewarding to use interpersonal skills to provide treatment
• Direct patient care

Cons of Psychiatric Nursing

• Work can be emotionally and physically draining
• Patients can be unpredictable and there can be a risk of aggressive behavior
• Progress is slow, which means this is not a good fit for nurses who prefer immediate gratification

Nursing as a Psychiatric Travel Nurse

Psychiatric nurses possess a deep understanding of mental health which translates easily to different work environments and patient communities. As a result, they are excellent candidates for travel nursing positions.

Psychiatric travel nurses have the advantage of being able to choose new and exciting locales in which they’d like to work while quickly and easily fitting into a new work environment. Their excellent interpersonal skills and communication abilities, as well as the growing need for the care they provide, means that they are welcomed by the staff in each new facility.

They also will enjoy higher salaries and the competitive benefits that accompany these positions, including tax-free per diems for food and lodging.

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Plus, you get everything you expect from the largest healthcare staffing company in the industry:

• Exceptional benefits, including premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment. Want to take time off? Keep insurance coverage for up to 24 days between assignments.
• A generous 401(k) match.
• Paid company housing (we'll help you bring your pets along, too!) or a generous housing stipend.
• Paid sick time in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws. Aya's general sick leave policy is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, to the extent any provisions of the statement above conflict with any applicable paid sick leave laws, the applicable paid sick leave laws are controlling.
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• Access to top hospitals and healthcare systems in diverse care settings.
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• Travel and lodging coverage.
• Easy timekeeping and streamlined management of documents.
• Malpractice coverage and risk management support.
• Premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment.
• Paid sick time. Aya provides paid sick leave in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws. Aya's general sick leave policy is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, to the extent any provisions of the statement above conflict with any applicable paid sick leave laws, the applicable paid sick leave laws are controlling.
• Generous 401k match.
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• Licensure, relocation and other reimbursements.

Experience the Aya difference today

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The Reality of Becoming a Pediatric Psych Travel Nurse: FAQs and Insights

by Trusted Nurse Staffing | Jan 22, 2024 | News

You have a passion for pediatric psychology nursing. You leave work every day knowing you made a difference in children’s lives. You have been yearning for something more — a desire to travel somewhere new, experience a different environment, and meet new people.  

That’s where travel nursing comes in. But can you do travel nursing as a pediatric psych nurse?

The short answer is yes! Whether you’re a seasoned pediatric psych nurse intrigued by the travel aspect or new to the field, we’ve got you covered in navigating this exciting career change. In this guide, we’ll discuss what pediatric psych nurses do, work settings, average compensation, the advantages and disadvantages of working as a travel nurse in this specialty,  and more. 

Table of Contents

What is a pediatric psych travel nurse, where do pediatric psych nurses work, how much do pediatric psych nurses make, requirements to become a pediatric psych travel nurse, the pros and cons of being a pediatric psych travel nurse, find your career as a pediatric psych travel nurse with help from trusted nurse staffing.

Pediatric psychiatric nursing is a specialized field requiring specific training to treat children dealing with mental illness. Psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHN) are registered nurses with advanced training, a specialized skill set, and extensive experience in treating children with mental health or substance abuse disorders. There are also nurse practitioners with specialization in pediatric psychiatry who are referred to as PMH-APRNs. 

It’s not an easy job, and it’s not for everyone. But for those with a profound passion for helping children with mental illness, it is an extremely rewarding career. 

Pediatric psych nurses can also take positions as travel nurses, usually in a high-need area. Rather than being employed by the clinic, hospital, or private practice, pediatric psych travel nurses are employed by a staffing agency. Given that psychiatry is rated as one of the top five medical specialties that are underserved, pediatric psych travel nursing emerges as a promising career. 

What Are the Characteristics of a Pediatric Psych Nurse?

It undoubtedly takes a special person to become a pediatric psych nurse. Not only do you need the right personality to work with children, but you also need the specialized skill set to assist individuals with mental health challenges. Key characteristics include: 

• Patient: Any job working with children requires an extra dose of patience. Exercising patience is needed to navigate the often challenging aspects of mental health. 
• Empathetic: You need to be able to empathize with your young patient’s situation and acknowledge how they are feeling. 
• Relational: Being able to build a strong rapport with children is necessary. You need to be able to talk on their level, so your patients can comfortably express their thoughts and feelings. 
• Communicative: You must be an excellent communicator, as you will be collaborating closely with a care team of other medical professionals. Strong written communication skills are also necessary for documentation purposes.
• Resilient: This job is not for the faint of heart. Nurse burnout is a risk, and resilience is crucial in navigating the inherent challenges of nursing, especially in mental health care. 
• Analytical: Critical thinking is a skill you will use often in this career, given the complex nature of mental health problems. 
• Calm: Maintaining composure is vital, especially when individuals with mental illnesses become upset or have sudden outbursts. 

What Are the Duties of a Pediatric Psych Travel Nurse?

As a pediatric psych travel nurse, you can expect to work as a team with other healthcare providers. This includes working with:

• Psychiatrists
• Social workers
• Developmental pediatricians
• Neuropsychologists
• Case managers

As a team, you will work to develop and implement a treatment or care plan. Daily tasks, though varying in different settings, may encompass: 

• Screening patients
• Conducting psych evaluations
• Conducting and monitoring treatment sessions
• Administering medication 
• Providing education to patients and families
• Attending case management meetings
• Engaging in community outreach
• Implementing crisis intervention strategies

Becoming a pediatric psych nurse allows you to work in multiple settings. Each setting offers benefits and challenges, so it is important to think about what setting would serve you best. Some settings may include:

• Primary care
• Family practice
• Developmental clinic 
• Hospital/Inpatient Setting
• School-based clinics

Telehealth has seen a huge rise in the last three years. Depending on the setting as a pediatric psych nurse, you may also conduct patient sessions through telehealth platforms. 

What Type of Patients Do Pediatric Psych Nurses Work With?

As a pediatric psych nurse, you can expect to work with children of all ages up to young adults receiving help for behavioral health and child development disorders.

Ped psych nurses play a crucial role in collaborating with the families of these children, providing education and support throughout their treatment journey. 

The average hourly income of pediatric psych travel nurses is subject to variation and influenced by factors such as:

• Medical setting
• Travel nursing agency you work with

On average, pediatric psych nurses can earn around $42 an hour . 

Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Pediatric Psych Nurses

As mentioned, geography can certainly influence the hourly wage pediatric psych nurses earn. According to ZipRecuriter , here at the top ten highest paying cities for pediatric psych nurses based on weekly pay:

• Berkeley, CA
• San Buenaventura, CA
• New York City, NY
• Santa Monica, CA
• Daly City, CA
• Bailey’s Crossroads, VA

Educational

You likely already have completed this step if you are reading this, but to become a nurse, you must either have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) or have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN). After completion of coursework, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn your RN license. 

If you are interested in becoming a PMH-APRN, you must earn a graduate degree in either:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DPN)

While there is no specific licensure requirement to become a PMH-RN other than state licensure requirements, you can obtain licensure at the APRN level.  

There are two different licensure options for PMH-APRNs:

• ​​Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• ​​Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS)

Regardless of which licensing path you take, both options will require the same clinical knowledge.

Certifications

If you want to take your nursing skills to the next level, you can become board certified with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC TM ). You must take a certification examination. Once awarded, the certification is valid for five years. 

Experience and Skills

The general rule of thumb is that you’ll need 1-2 years of nursing under your belt. You may need more experience if you’re going to be a specialty travel RN like a pediatric psych travel nurse.

As you work towards this goal of becoming a travel pediatric psych nurse, you can concentrate on honing the following skills:  

• Experience with administering assessments 
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development
• Clinical skills of psychotherapeutic treatments
• Ability to facilitate coordination among the clinical care team
• Proficiency of pharmacology and understanding of drug side effects, particularly medications for the treatment of psychiatric disorders

Embarking on a career as a pediatric psych travel nurse brings exciting opportunities and benefits but also comes with challenges. Let’s explore the positive aspects of this profession along with potential drawbacks. 

Pros of Pediatric Psych Travel Nursing

• Positive job outlook : The field of nursing, in general, is expected to grow at 6% from 2022 to 2032 , which is a faster growth rate than average for all occupations. This trend is further fueled by the ongoing nursing shortage, as retiring nurses create job opportunities and increase demand across various specialties. 
• Competitive salary: Pediatric psych nurses have a competitive salary, reflecting the demand for their specialized skills. Travel nursing also tends to pay at a higher rate.  
• Work-life balance: Depending on the setting, pediatric psych travel nurses can benefit from favorable hours and flexibility, promoting a healthy work-life balance. The travel aspect adds an exciting dimension, allowing travel nurses to explore and enjoy different parts of the country.  
• Fulfilling career: While it is an undoubtedly difficult career, working as a pediatric psych travel nurse is exceptionally fulfilling as you are making a profound impact in the lives of children. Travel nursing in general reports high job satisfaction.

Cons of Pediatric Psych Travel Nursing

• Risk of nurse burnout: Burnout is a prevalent challenge in healthcare, amplified after COVID-19. Alarmingly, 91.1% of nurses reported high levels of burnout, exceeding rates in other healthcare workers at nearly 80%. 
• Variable work schedule: Depending on the setting, work hours and holiday schedules can impact your work-life balance and personal commitments. This is mainly seen in the hospital setting. Consider looking into private practice for more traditional hours. 
• Reluctance to treatment: Unfortunately, individuals with mental health challenges may exhibit a reluctance or resistance to treatment. Families also may not readily recognize their child’s problems or may be resistant to pursue treatment. These dynamics can be challenging for nurses to navigate. 
• Constant adjustment to new environments: In general, travel nursing requires adaptation to new settings, healthcare systems, and team dynamics. This can be challenging despite all the benefits travel nursing offers. 

If you are intrigued by the prospect of becoming a pediatric psych travel nurse, we’re here to guide you on this fulfilling career journey. Pediatric psych nursing becomes even more exciting when you embark on travel assignments, explore new places and make a difference in diverse healthcare settings.

Trusted Nurse Staffing stands as a dedicated agency committed to placing nurses in travel assignments. Rely on us to navigate the landscape and discover the best-fit assignments tailored to your aspirations.

When you choose Trusted Nurse Staffing, your contribution as a pediatric psych nurse is deeply valued. From the commencement of your contract, we prioritize your well-being with a range of benefits including:

• Retirement and insurance plans
• Reimbursement for certification, license, and CEU
• Stipends for housing, meals, and travel
• Bonus opportunities, including sign-on, completion, and referral bonuses

Moreover, you have a personal support team available 24/7. Unlike automated messages, we provide real-live human assistance, ensuring you have the support you need throughout your contract. 

Find your next pediatric psych travel nurse assignment through Pronto , the innovative job matching platform for nurses ready to take on a travel assignment. 

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Psychiatry travel nurse salary

Table of Contents

Psychiatry travel nurses specialize in working with patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses. They work alongside a variety of mental health professionals to create care plans and educate patients and their families about mental illnesses. Taking a psychiatry travel nurse job can be incredibly rewarding, and nurses can gain a lot of new experience. Nomad Health created this guide to answer the most common questions about psych travel nursing, including information about pay, benefits, and travel stipends.

Average psych travel nurse pay

Psych travel nurse pay can vary depending on compensable factors such as your experience, certifications, and location where you take a travel job. The average weekly total compensation for psych travel nurses at Nomad Health is about $2,162, including a travel stipend. Depending on your experience, psych travel nurses at Nomad may earn a total compensation of up to $2,952 per week.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel psychiatry nurses as of October 24, 2023.

Psych travel nurse pay range

Psych travel nurse pay ranges can change frequently depending on the facility's demand for psych nurses. When a facility is short-staffed with psych nurses, the pay range may increase for that particular specialty. Depending on the facility's needs and your experience, the total compensation for psych travel nurses at Nomad is between $1,476 and $2,952 per week including a travel stipend.*

Average pay rate for psych travel nurses

The average pay rate for psych travel nurses may depend on compensable factors such as experience and facility demand for psych travel nurses. At Nomad, the average pay rate for psych travel nurses is approximately $60 per hour, although this number could be higher or lower for some travel nurses.*

What is the highest psych travel nurse compensation?

As of October 24, 2023, the highest total compensation for psych travel nurses at Nomad is approximately $82 per hour or $2,952 per week, including a travel stipend. Keep in mind that compensation for travel nurses fluctuates based on the needs of facilities, so the highest total compensation for psych travel nurses may be higher or lower at times. To see the highest total compensation for psych travel nurses today, browse our psych travel nurse job board and sort by highest pay.

Factors that influence psych travel nurse pay

Psych travel nurse pay is influenced by a number of compensable factors, which include but are not limited to:

Psych travel nurse experience

Facilities are always looking for highly skilled psych travel nurses with experience under their belt who can hit the ground running as soon as they start. The more relevant experience you have as a psych travel nurse, the more willing a facility may be to pay you a higher salary for your skills.

Facility demand for psych travel nurses

When facilities experience psych staff nurse shortages, they often rely on psych travel nurses to fill those gaps. Depending on the severity of the shortage, psych travel nurses may be able to earn higher pay with the facility.

Travel job location

The cost of living in each city and state can directly influence how much facilities can pay travel psychiatry nurses. For example, a psych travel nurse on assignment in a rural area may earn less than a travel assignment in a big city where the cost of living is higher.

For psych travel nurses, achieving the highest level of education available to your specific profession may help open more doors to advanced job opportunities and higher pay.

Variable pay rates

Psych travel nurse pay is constantly fluctuating based on factors like facility needs, and seasonality. At times, hourly pay for travelers may be higher or lower than staff workers. Knowing when psych travel nurses are most likely to be in demand can help ensure you get the highest total compensation available.

Taxes are an important factor for consideration when it comes to psych travel nurses total compensation. In certain circumstances, psych travel nurses without a registered tax home could be responsible for paying taxes on all earned income. Maintaining a permanent tax home could potentially provide tax advantages for travel stipends. We ask that you consult with your tax consultant to understand your specific tax circumstances.

Travel stipends

Travel stipends, also known as per diems, can be a big part of your total pay as a psych travel nurse. If you qualify, these travel stipends can help pay for any duplicate lodging and meal expenses that come with living away from your tax home. Travel stipends may also be eligible for tax-preferred treatment. Please consult with your tax consultant to better understand your specific circumstances.

Overtime pay

It’s important for psych travel nurses to be clear in their contract about hourly rates and how much they will be compensated for overtime hours, which can differ from the base pay rate and/or applicable law.

Completion bonus

Depending on the facility, your psych travel nurse job might come with a completion bonus. A completion bonus is a set amount of money a facility will pay you if you complete the full psychiatry travel assignment. Facilities that have a hard time retaining psych travel nurses and staff nurses tend to offer completion bonuses more often.

Benefits are considered an extension of psych travel nurse total compensation. Psychiatry travel nurses who work with Nomad enjoy a full range of benefits including health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and participation in Nomad’s 401(k) plan . Nomad also partially reimburses psych travel nurses for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.

Frequently asked questions about psych travel nurse pay

How much do psych travel nurses make per hour, is psych travel nursing worth the money, do psych travel nurses make more than staff psych nurses.

I am with Nomad and LOVE them...they really love feedback and are open to hearing what nurses need and want. Terri N. ICU RN

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