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What is a psychiatric nursing assistant and how to become one
Nursing assistants are medical professionals that help patients with daily tasks like bathing and eating if they cannot do them themselves. Nursing assistants can work with any patients or specialize in one group, such as seniors. Psychiatric nursing assistants, sometimes called psychiatric aides, are people that work with psychiatric patients.
Psychiatric nursing assistants usually work in psychiatric hospitals or other institutions that help people with mental or emotional health difficulties. They do similar duties to other nursing assistants, like bathing patients or monitoring their vital signs. However, psychiatric nursing assistants need to be prepared to help patients with mental health challenges, including those who sometimes have violent outbursts.
Some psychiatric nursing assistants have bachelor's degrees, but many others take different paths. Like other nursing assistants, psychiatric nursing assistants often need to complete a special training program from a vocational school. It also helps if they have some experience working with psychiatric patients. Psychiatric nursing assistants can earn about $26,458 a year on average.
What general advice would you give to a psychiatric nursing assistant?
Penny Ridenour
Dean of School of Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Avg. Salary $30,184
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 9%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.87%
Asian 7.31%
Black or African American 16.78%
Hispanic or Latino 20.84%
Unknown 4.84%
White 49.37%
Genderfemale 58.33%
male 41.67%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Psychiatric nursing assistant career paths
Key steps to become a psychiatric nursing assistant
Explore psychiatric nursing assistant education requirements
Start to develop specific psychiatric nursing assistant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 17.10% Mental Health 11.77% Vital Signs 7.72% CPR 7.18% Direct Supervision 6.62% Complete relevant psychiatric nursing assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New psychiatric nursing assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a psychiatric nursing assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real psychiatric nursing assistant resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed psychiatric nursing assistant usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed psychiatric nursing assistant in most of states. 25 states require psychiatric nursing assistants to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse Aide Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Nursing Assistant (Certified) California Specific course required State exam required Certified Nurse Assistant Colorado Specific course required State exam required Nurse Aide Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Nurses Aide Gain additional psychiatric nursing assistant certifications
More About CertificationsPsychiatric nursing assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific psychiatric nursing assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for psychiatric nursing assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.
Research psychiatric nursing assistant duties and responsibilities
- Prioritize and utilize therapeutic communication and CPI skills to diffuse and manage difficult situations.
- Assist with therapeutic rehabilitation while implementing proper PMAB.
- Make sure the client is bathing, eating, and other ADL's properly.
- Hold EMT and CPR certifications.
Prepare your psychiatric nursing assistant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your psychiatric nursing assistant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a psychiatric nursing assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable psychiatric nursing assistant resume templates
Build a professional psychiatric nursing assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your psychiatric nursing assistant resume.
Apply for psychiatric nursing assistant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a psychiatric nursing assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first psychiatric nursing assistant job
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Average psychiatric nursing assistant salary
The average psychiatric nursing assistant salary in the United States is $30,184 per year or $15 per hour. Psychiatric nursing assistant salaries range between $22,000 and $40,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do psychiatric nursing assistants rate their job?
Psychiatric nursing assistant reviews
Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!
All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.
Being overwhelmed with too many time sensitive referrals. Appeals
Updated January 8, 2025
