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Psychiatric Unit RN Travel Nursing Guide

Understanding of the need for better mental health care continues to grow in the United States and many other countries. With better advocacy and understanding, demand is higher and consistently growing for psych nurses, and that means there are lots of well-paying psych travel nursing jobs in exciting locations nationwide!

Psych Nurse Travel Careers

A career in psych travel nursing is a great way for you to avoid nurse burnout — the job can still be very demanding and stressful, but the variety of locations and facilities can help keep you fresher and more motivated to care for your patients. It’s also a great way to keep your skills sharp, avoid hospital politics, gain crucial experience, and build your resume. When you travel with Medical Solutions, you’ll also earn great money and have great benefits.

To be successful working in psych nursing you must be adaptable, empathetic, an excellent communicator, patient and cool-headed, able to expertly diagnose and treat patients, a good problem-solver, and able to function well in an environment that can vary.

A psych team’s goal is to assess, stabilize, and treat their patients as quickly as possible. Psych nurses can be the frontline when it comes to assessment and it’s critical for them to collect and document patient data, administer medication, evaluate reactions to medication/treatment/care, develop diagnoses, provide ongoing care to patients, help patients cope, and so much more.

Psych nurses often work in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, home health, mental health organizations, schools, correctional facilities, and more. They may work one-on-one with individuals, or with families and other groups.

Work in the psychiatric unit can be very challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. It’s a great fit for those who really care for patients and gain satisfaction from helping patients emerge from crisis and stabilize their mental health.

Who Works in the Psychiatric Unit?

A wide range of healthcare professionals work in psych or behavioral health units, joining forces to best serve their patients. Pysch team members can include psych RNs, psych CNAs, social workers/case managers, licensed professional counselors, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, sex therapists, nurse practitioners, licensed behavioral analysts, clergy, police officers, EMTs, and administrative staff.

Who’s Treated in the Psychiatric Unit?

A wide range of patients and mental health concerns are treated in the psychiatric unit and other psychiatric facilities. Typically, a psych nurse is involved when a patient seems to be a danger to themselves or others, as well as for preventative care. Psych nurses can often be called into other hospital units or facilities to address mental health concerns there. Thus, patients could be suffering from any type of physical condition or illness that might have them in the hospital and/or could be suffering specifically from mental health issues including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, severe anxiety, severe depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, nervous breakdown, psychosis, dementia, schizophrenia, and severe changes in sleep, mood, and appetite.

Psych Nurse Requirements

Education requirements for Psych RNs include an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and/or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Additional requirements such as passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) are also required. A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) may be required in addition to the other requirements above. The PMH-BC is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Additional requirements for Psych Registered Nurses certification will sometimes include two years of experience as a full-time RN, completion of 30 hours of CE in Mental Health/Psychiatric nursing within the last three years, and at least 2,000 hours in clinical practice.

How Much Do Psych RN Earn?

• National Yearly Average: $79,000-$89,000
• Average Overtime Pay Per Year: $12,125
• Highest Paying States for Psych RNs: Arizona, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, Hawaii, Indiana, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, and New York. High end Psych Nurse salaries are sometimes as high as $122,000/year.
• Lowest Paying States for Psych RNs: North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Maine, Idaho, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Low end Psych Nurse salaries are sometimes as low as $34,000/year.

Source: indeed.com

Quick Psychiatric Unit Facts

• Required psych RN education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and/or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), plus passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
• Required psych certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS), Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
• Preferred psych certifications: Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Required experience to become a travel psych RN: Facilities typically require a minimum of two years of recent, in-hospital experience in order to hire you as a psych travel nurse. You’ll want the benefit of experience since travel nurses have to hit the ground running!
• Average U.S. annual psych RN salary range: $45,000-$121,000
• Locations where psych RNs are in high demand: Demand for psych RNs is growing nationwide! California, Colorado, and Arizona reflect high demand with higher average psych RN salaries.

Find travel Psych Travel Nursing jobs nearby and in destinations all over the United States .

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We offer competitive compensation packages to fit your needs, including a company-matching 401(k)program and/or per diem allowances.

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Medical Solutions Psych travel nurses are eligible for day-one, nationwide medical insurance coverage starting at just $10 per week for a single, basic policy.

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Your dedicated recruiter is there to help guide you throughout your career & Psych travel nursing experience with Medical Solutions.

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We want to make your travel nursing experience painless. That's why we will provide reimbursements on state licenses or certification fees.

We connect care by staffing healthcare facilities nationwide with caring & compassionate Psychiatric Unit Nurses .

Frequently Asked Questions

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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!

Travel Nursing Reviews

Jennifer, rn.

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.

Brittany J.

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!

Sopheare C.

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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Aya delivers:

• Unlimited complimentary CEUs through MedBridge. Access unlimited CEUs that count towards licensing and additional education hours.
• The most jobs in the industry. We have the largest and most reliable job database, which means the jobs you see are open, updated in real time and ready for you!
• Competitive advantage over other agencies. Front-of-the-line access through our direct facility relationships — many with quick (even same-day) offers, giving you the best chance of securing your ideal opportunity.
• Expedited licensing and streamlined compliance. An industry-leading on-time start rate and strong relationships with boards of nursing across the country to accelerate the process in all 50 states.
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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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• Pay listed above includes taxable wages and tax-free expense reimbursements.

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• A rental car and bi-weekly weekend travel home.

With Aya Locums you get:

• Access to top hospitals and healthcare systems in diverse care settings.
• Highly competitive, transparent locum tenens pay.
• Dedicated application and assignment support.
• In-house credentialing and licensing teams.
• Full coverage of licensing costs.
• 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.
• Aya may provide other benefits where required by applicable law, including but not limited to reimbursements.
• Aya coordinates all travel and lodging accommodations.
• Travel information is received the evening prior to your scheduled departure.
• Airfare is covered and, if driving to the assignment, reimbursement is available.
• Once notice is received, communication from our team is sent via email and text to ensure you are kept in the loop as soon as information becomes available.
• Your safety is Aya's top priority. We work closely with the facility to ensure additional security measures are taken onsite so you can focus on what really matters: patient care.
• Licensure, relocation and other reimbursements.

Experience the Aya difference today

• A dedicated recruiter who advocates for you every step of the way.
• We'll ensure the hiring manager prioritizes your interest and schedules an interview quickly.
• A streamlined hiring process means offers are often presented within 24-48 hours after an interview with a hiring leader.
• Flexible start dates that work around your availability.
• We make it simple with one point of contact the entire time.
• University of Washington (UW) offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. Choose from top medical and dental insurance programs; plan for your future with tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; enjoy generous vacation and sick leave policies; and protect yourself and your family with life and long-term disability insurance. For more information, follow the links shown below or explore the Benefits website at http://hr.uw.edu/benefits/

With Aya, you get:

• Higher compensation - we negotiate on your behalf.
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• Paid company housing (pets are welcome to tag along) or a generous housing stipend.
• If qualified, continued insurance coverage over the summer.
• A generous 401k match.
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