Skip to content

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29-1141)
Bright Outlook

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

At a Glance

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses earns a median of $93,600/yr with +4.9% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Intellectual Curiosity, Cooperation, Social Orientation.

Median Annual Wage

$93,600/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.9%

Annual Openings

189

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (18)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.4
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.3
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

4.0
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

4.0
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.0
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.9
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.9
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.8
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.8
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.8
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.8
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.6
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

3.6
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.4

Knowledge (11)

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

5.0
Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

4.7
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.6
Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

4.5
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

4.3
Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

4.1
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.9
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.8
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

3.4
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.3
Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

3.3

Abilities (15)

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.6
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.3
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.3
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.1
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.1
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

4.0
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.0
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.9
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.8
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.5
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.4
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.4
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.4

Technology (6)

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
SAS

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (25)

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

5.0
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.8
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.7
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.6
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

4.3
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.3
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.3
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.2
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.2
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.0
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.0
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.8
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.8
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.8
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.8
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.4
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.3

Work Styles (6)

Intellectual Curiosity

A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

5.0
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

5.0
Cautiousness

A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

5.0
Self-Control

A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

4.3
Stress Tolerance

A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.

Get Started Free