Travel Psychiatric Nurse Jobs

The agencies on Vivian that currently have the most Travel Psychiatric Nurse jobs are TotalMed Staffing (61), Supplemental Health Care (59), and OneStaff Medical (56).

As of Tuesday, October 3rd 2023, Vivian has 560 Staff Nursing jobs listed. These jobs pay $47 per hour on average, with the highest-paying job listed up to $79 per hour.

As of Tuesday, October 3rd 2023, Vivian has 18 jobs listed for per diem Nursing jobs. These jobs pay $46 per hour on average and up to $55 per hour for the highest-paying role.

As of Tuesday, October 3rd 2023, Vivian has 21 listings for local contract Nursing jobs. These jobs pay $56 per hour on average, and up to $75 per hour for the top-paying job listed.

Take a look at Vivian's Travel Psychiatric Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.

Psychiatric nurses, also called mental health nurses, specialize in caring for patients of all ages who are experiencing mental illness or distress. Psych nurses may treat a variety of mental illnesses or focus on specific age groups or disorders, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, dementia, substance abuse, or eating disorders. They’re experts in crisis intervention and work closely with their patients to help them manage their mental illnesses and live fulfilling lives.

Psychiatric RNs assess the mental health needs of individuals, which includes providing care based on treatment and nursing care plans, and educating and supporting patients, but doesn’t include counseling. Psychiatric RNs administer prescribed medications and assess their effectiveness and side effects, but they can’t prescribe medications. They also provide crisis intervention, complete new admissions’ paperwork, and ensure patient charts are complete. 

Psych nurses have a wide array of work settings, including the mental health wards of community or general services hospitals or at psychiatric hospitals. They may also work at substance abuse treatment centers, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, schools for individuals with mental or emotional issues, and outpatient mental health organizations.

Psychiatric nurses must have a solid foundation in the behavioral sciences and extensive knowledge about medication effects and interactions. They must be experts in mental health assessment and crisis intervention, including recognizing the signs of deteriorating or advancing mental illness. Excellent interpersonal skills are crucial, which includes good verbal communication and active listening skills, and empathy. They must be detail oriented with excellent written communication skills to thoroughly and accurately chart patients. Critical thinking, multitasking, and teamwork also top the list of desirable skills.

Becoming a travel psychiatric nurse means fulfilling requirements to become a registered nurse, which includes earning an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, completing all state licensing requirements, and earning Basic Life Support certification. Most travel psychiatric nursing positions require between one and two years of experience in a psychiatric setting. Psychiatric APRNs must earn a master’s degree. 

Psychiatric nurses may hold Basic Life Support (BLS), Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (PMHN-BC), among others.

Some healthcare employers may prefer psychiatric nurse job candidates with Verbal Intervention (CPI-VI), Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI-NCI) or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills Training (CPI-NCI Advanced), and some may even require specific professional certifications.

Having a Verbal Intervention (CPI-VI) validates your knowledge and skills as a psychiatric nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.

Having a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI-NCI) validates your knowledge and skills as a psychiatric nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.

Having a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills Training (CPI-NCI Advanced) validates your knowledge and skills as a psychiatric nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.