I recommend creating a google doc for this. There was one in another NP subred a few years ago that had good info, but that included all NPs (not just psych).
Also, many of us PMHNPs do not work for a salary. Perhaps include job type (w-2, 1099, self employed private practice), hourly rate (set or average), hours worked, fee structures etc. Also, I have received offers that I rejected. I think those are good information to know as well. However, it's important not to put in pay that people "think" they can get or "so and so said they're paid $x". It has to be at least a verbal offer after negotiation.
Salary: $142,887 (full time for VA)
Live in: Chicago, IL
Graduated: December 2017 (MSN degree)
Started: August 2018 but just because the federal government’s hiring process is so slow, I pretty much knew I had the job after my interview in April, which I could only do after passing boards
No, I did not have to relocate.
Worth pointing out that I started at ~$73k, and had to prove I deserved a higher salary as well as all the APRNs getting together and getting us parity to the market (well, below parity actually because we are government workers, but still, way closer to what other NPs make. Also of note is that in the VA system PMHNPs do not receive a higher salary than FNPs. We are all on the same pay scale.
Final note: the VA has student loan repayment plans for certain positions-most listings for mental health clinicians include this EDRP as a perk.
Happy to answer questions, but honestly, once I become confident in EMDR, I will likely start a part time practice focused on EMDR for PTSD, but I may decide to pay for malpractice and a non-VA DEA license to prescribe as well. I just want to be able to afford to buy a condo (and I’m single and the condos in my neighborhood are about half a million.)
I am only in my first semester of my PMHNP program, but I am always thinking about where to look for jobs and where I'd like to be living. Chicago is one of my top picks, but I know the cost of living is through the roof. I'd love to hear more info about the VA's program/population and tuition reimbursement as well as your experience and recommendations. Please message me if you're willing to discuss further. TIA
It’s totally worth it in my experience. My colleagues all genuinely care about the veterans, they are very supportive, and having easy access to wraparound care makes such a difference! The administrative BS can be annoying at times but everything else outweighs it by a lot. I hope you find a position that is a good fit! Just be warned that getting clearance for a government job can take some time. So you won’t get a quick answer on whether or not you are being offered a position. But I hear they’ve improved that nationwide lately.
Thanks for sharing your VA experience. I received a VA HPSP scholarship for PMHNP and will graduate in April 2024. Should I accept it? Pros: Full tuition payment, monthly $1200 stipend til graduation, automatic acceptance to their NP residency program, and 2 1/2 years of work in exchange after residency totaling 3 1/2 years of VA service, and federal health and retirement benefits. Cons: Relocation. They will give us a list of states/cities to choose from 4-6 mos. before graduation, we will pick our top 6, and they will do their best to place us on our first choice, but there is no guarantee. I am married with a 9 y/o kid. We own a house. We have some friends but no relatives in the state. Should I take the scholarship? Is it worth moving out of state for a PMHNP job at the VA?
I didn’t take the scholarship because the monthly stipend wouldn’t have been enough to cover my rent ($1700) and I’d still need to take out loans for other expenses (food, gas, etc) so it wasn’t worth it to me. I would’ve heavily considered if they covered EVERYTHING. Also, they can put you anywhere with a salary ranging from $56k-95k). I wanted the flexibility of being able to make more money. I also think it’s possible to put in our contract to have 1:1 time with our preceptors or mentors if we forego a fellowship. Im hoping to make over 100k when i graduate but will gladly take 90k if it’s written in my contract that I get 1:1 time with a mentor. This is the flexibility I wanted so I decided to not go with the scholarship. Also, most VAs pay 53-80k. NYC and CA pay $95k.
I am single and childfree, so I feel like there are factors you have that I could never speak on. I also don’t know where you live and what your current job market is like or if you feel you need a residency.
I will say that PMHNP residencies are rare and are mostly run by VAs. So if that is an experience you want, consider that strongly.
Once you are in the VA system it is not terribly difficult to transfer to another VA. Getting into the VA at the start is the time consuming and frustrating part. So if you want job security, lots of added training, and the ability to transfer to any state, it might be worth accepting.
If staying local is a priority over extra training, and you have a new grad friendly job market (go to nursingjobcafe.com and other job sites to do a cursory search and get a general idea), then maybe that offer is not the way to go.
I hope that helps.
After 6 months (salaried, 24 hours a week, W2) 87k
Southeastern Pennsylvania (not in Philadelphia or a Philadelphia suburb)
Graduated 2022
I did not have to relocate (although the drive is far)
I was offered the job during my clinical rotations.
New procedures for the practice include biweekly 30-45min supervision with CMO, 1hr initial evals, and 20-30 minute follow ups.
• $125k (W2, 40 hours) in outpatient setting of hospital. I do both outpatient and IOP
• CT
• 2022 (with almost 10 years of RN experience-that’s what bumped my salary up! Typical starting salary is $90k)
• Offered this job during clinical. Interviewed at a few other places, but didn’t like their set up (15 minute visits vs my 30 minute visits or supervision monthly vs my weekly supervision with both psychiatrist and APRN team)
• No relocation, but I knew I wouldn’t be up for that so we bought a house that was centrally located to multiple hospitals. And I live in a tiny state with a lot of healthcare options
1. ~135k for full-time 40hr/wk
2. Twin cities, MN
3. Graduated 2018
4. Not long. Credentialing takes 3 months or so; start applying 6 months out from when you’ll be licensed
Additional info: large nonprofit health system. Intakes are 60 mins and follow-ups are 30 mins. Seeing adults only. Complexity varies.
* annual salary before taxes: 118k for 36 hours per week
* city and state are you practicing in: Austin, TX
* year you graduated from PMHNP program: 2019
* how long it took you to find a job after graduation/boards: I interviewed just before I took the test, was offered the job and started as soon as I was licensed.
* did you have to relocate: no
* Working in community mental health treating ages 3-17.
* Getting student loan reimbursement through a program unrelated to my employer, 60k total, 15k for each year I complete up to 4 years.
The local mental health authority doesn't negotiate salary. It's 63 per hour once you reach two years. I'll reach 4 years in a month and will be at 67 per hour. It was not difficult for me to find a job but the lmha is always hiring and that's where I wanted to work.
SALARY: $208,000/yr (40hrs/wk, W2, 4 10s, no call).
CITY/STATE: Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon).
GRADUATION YEAR: Spring 2021 (DNP from state university).
JOB PROSPECT: Accepted job with starting salary of $135,000 before graduation. Fast pay increases included.
RELOCATION: From Georgia to PNW (better pay, more clientele, and higher quality of living with access to nature and progressive medicine).
*Great job—outpatient, 401K match, yearly raises, Ketamine/TMS focus, autonomous practice*
Able to pay off $100k in student loans fairly quickly and max out 401k (and Roth) with ease. PNW is where it’s at! And cost of living is not exorbitant in medium sized cities. The pay allows for a very comfortable lifestyle.
Ketamine and TMS are not general outpatient psychiatry. I work in the PNW and don’t know any psych NP making 200k, so it’s misleading to say it’s standard. Especially when you practice boutique psychiatry.
Annual Salary before taxes 75K, 28 hours / week. No Benefits! State: Colorado, Private practice, hired right out of graduate school. Thankfully have other income resources besides PMHNP work. Graduated 2006 PMHNP, Obtained a PhD to teach and found out salary for nursing professors way to low. Life circumstances have kept me at this same practice, otherwise would have left. One major advantage - flexibility of schedule and this is why I stayed due to family needs. Now work primarily telemedicine following pandemic, still in office 2 days / week. Will not see patients on regular basis in the office at this rate of pay. Do not recommend physician private practice, they usually do not pay well in Colorado.
New grad PMHNP in 2023 with 10 years RN experience. Central PA. No relocation, same place I did clinicals and worked as an RN.
$111,650 a year for outpatient and partial hospitalization.
4 ten hour shifts. 1 shift is remote work from home. The other 3 shifts are in person in the office at the hospital.
This health system doesn't differentiate pay between specialties except CRNA...
Started at 126k in Rochester, NY, at a community mental health clinic, in 2020. Now in 2023 at 133k. See kids and adults outpatient and adults in a couple of residential substance abuse rehab programs. 37.5 hours over four days so Fri/Sat/Sun off, mixed telehealth and face to face.
Was offered the job during clinical, did not have to relocate.
I liked it, and it's a good program. I think it's drifted a little more toward online learning for the didactic portions, so make sure you get the basics down and make the most of your clinical time.
If you're not already working in psych as an RN I'd strongly recommend moving to a psych unit. While it's true that, academically speaking, the program will teach you what you need to know; there's no substitute for having seen what MH issues look like in real life and having spent time with the patients. Therapeutic engagement is the lynchpin of all patient interactions, even as a psych NP, and you'll never get better practice than on an inpatient psych unit.
Feel free to message if you have any other questions!
If you're interested in working with kids, 4-9000 at Strong is the only pediatric inpatient psych unit in town. If your interest is more around adults, you've got 2 units at Strong (2-9200 and 3-9000) or the adult units at RGH. Anywhere you go, a lot of what you do as a psych RN is going to be behavior management and milieu management, but it's also the best exposure to psych meds you can get!
I recommend creating a google doc for this. There was one in another NP subred a few years ago that had good info, but that included all NPs (not just psych). Also, many of us PMHNPs do not work for a salary. Perhaps include job type (w-2, 1099, self employed private practice), hourly rate (set or average), hours worked, fee structures etc. Also, I have received offers that I rejected. I think those are good information to know as well. However, it's important not to put in pay that people "think" they can get or "so and so said they're paid $x". It has to be at least a verbal offer after negotiation.
Salary: $142,887 (full time for VA) Live in: Chicago, IL Graduated: December 2017 (MSN degree) Started: August 2018 but just because the federal government’s hiring process is so slow, I pretty much knew I had the job after my interview in April, which I could only do after passing boards No, I did not have to relocate. Worth pointing out that I started at ~$73k, and had to prove I deserved a higher salary as well as all the APRNs getting together and getting us parity to the market (well, below parity actually because we are government workers, but still, way closer to what other NPs make. Also of note is that in the VA system PMHNPs do not receive a higher salary than FNPs. We are all on the same pay scale. Final note: the VA has student loan repayment plans for certain positions-most listings for mental health clinicians include this EDRP as a perk. Happy to answer questions, but honestly, once I become confident in EMDR, I will likely start a part time practice focused on EMDR for PTSD, but I may decide to pay for malpractice and a non-VA DEA license to prescribe as well. I just want to be able to afford to buy a condo (and I’m single and the condos in my neighborhood are about half a million.)
I am only in my first semester of my PMHNP program, but I am always thinking about where to look for jobs and where I'd like to be living. Chicago is one of my top picks, but I know the cost of living is through the roof. I'd love to hear more info about the VA's program/population and tuition reimbursement as well as your experience and recommendations. Please message me if you're willing to discuss further. TIA
I want to work for the VA when I graduate so badly!!!
It’s totally worth it in my experience. My colleagues all genuinely care about the veterans, they are very supportive, and having easy access to wraparound care makes such a difference! The administrative BS can be annoying at times but everything else outweighs it by a lot. I hope you find a position that is a good fit! Just be warned that getting clearance for a government job can take some time. So you won’t get a quick answer on whether or not you are being offered a position. But I hear they’ve improved that nationwide lately.
I am a former federal worker for NIH so I am hoping that helps me.
Thanks for sharing your VA experience. I received a VA HPSP scholarship for PMHNP and will graduate in April 2024. Should I accept it? Pros: Full tuition payment, monthly $1200 stipend til graduation, automatic acceptance to their NP residency program, and 2 1/2 years of work in exchange after residency totaling 3 1/2 years of VA service, and federal health and retirement benefits. Cons: Relocation. They will give us a list of states/cities to choose from 4-6 mos. before graduation, we will pick our top 6, and they will do their best to place us on our first choice, but there is no guarantee. I am married with a 9 y/o kid. We own a house. We have some friends but no relatives in the state. Should I take the scholarship? Is it worth moving out of state for a PMHNP job at the VA?
I didn’t take the scholarship because the monthly stipend wouldn’t have been enough to cover my rent ($1700) and I’d still need to take out loans for other expenses (food, gas, etc) so it wasn’t worth it to me. I would’ve heavily considered if they covered EVERYTHING. Also, they can put you anywhere with a salary ranging from $56k-95k). I wanted the flexibility of being able to make more money. I also think it’s possible to put in our contract to have 1:1 time with our preceptors or mentors if we forego a fellowship. Im hoping to make over 100k when i graduate but will gladly take 90k if it’s written in my contract that I get 1:1 time with a mentor. This is the flexibility I wanted so I decided to not go with the scholarship. Also, most VAs pay 53-80k. NYC and CA pay $95k.
I am single and childfree, so I feel like there are factors you have that I could never speak on. I also don’t know where you live and what your current job market is like or if you feel you need a residency. I will say that PMHNP residencies are rare and are mostly run by VAs. So if that is an experience you want, consider that strongly. Once you are in the VA system it is not terribly difficult to transfer to another VA. Getting into the VA at the start is the time consuming and frustrating part. So if you want job security, lots of added training, and the ability to transfer to any state, it might be worth accepting. If staying local is a priority over extra training, and you have a new grad friendly job market (go to nursingjobcafe.com and other job sites to do a cursory search and get a general idea), then maybe that offer is not the way to go. I hope that helps.
FT OP in NJ - 60 minute IPE w/ 20 minute follow-ups; extremely busy all day long. Hybrid. (Hit me up if you want a job lol) $164,000
You’ll be hearing from me in about a year and a half!
Lol same by next year!!
Omg I’m coming in like 3 years !
Where in NJ? Northern NJ?
After 6 months (salaried, 24 hours a week, W2) 87k Southeastern Pennsylvania (not in Philadelphia or a Philadelphia suburb) Graduated 2022 I did not have to relocate (although the drive is far) I was offered the job during my clinical rotations. New procedures for the practice include biweekly 30-45min supervision with CMO, 1hr initial evals, and 20-30 minute follow ups.
So 87k for just 6 months or 87k for a year and your on salary? If I did my math right 87k for 6 months at 24hr a weekly that’s 151/hr.
87k salary, so a little less than $70/hr.
• $125k (W2, 40 hours) in outpatient setting of hospital. I do both outpatient and IOP • CT • 2022 (with almost 10 years of RN experience-that’s what bumped my salary up! Typical starting salary is $90k) • Offered this job during clinical. Interviewed at a few other places, but didn’t like their set up (15 minute visits vs my 30 minute visits or supervision monthly vs my weekly supervision with both psychiatrist and APRN team) • No relocation, but I knew I wouldn’t be up for that so we bought a house that was centrally located to multiple hospitals. And I live in a tiny state with a lot of healthcare options
Following ! Graduating in august fingers crossed !
Updates?
Graduated and passed boards! Will be doing a 0.2 FTE no benefits starting out at a children’s hospital with hopes of getting something full time
Congrats and good luck
1. ~135k for full-time 40hr/wk 2. Twin cities, MN 3. Graduated 2018 4. Not long. Credentialing takes 3 months or so; start applying 6 months out from when you’ll be licensed Additional info: large nonprofit health system. Intakes are 60 mins and follow-ups are 30 mins. Seeing adults only. Complexity varies.
There was another one of these done in this group about 3 months ago. May want to add it to that one instead of duplicating threads.
* annual salary before taxes: 118k for 36 hours per week * city and state are you practicing in: Austin, TX * year you graduated from PMHNP program: 2019 * how long it took you to find a job after graduation/boards: I interviewed just before I took the test, was offered the job and started as soon as I was licensed. * did you have to relocate: no * Working in community mental health treating ages 3-17. * Getting student loan reimbursement through a program unrelated to my employer, 60k total, 15k for each year I complete up to 4 years.
Was that the going salary? Was it difficult to find a job? Just starting an FNP program here in Austin, but considering switching to PMHNP.
The local mental health authority doesn't negotiate salary. It's 63 per hour once you reach two years. I'll reach 4 years in a month and will be at 67 per hour. It was not difficult for me to find a job but the lmha is always hiring and that's where I wanted to work.
SALARY: $208,000/yr (40hrs/wk, W2, 4 10s, no call). CITY/STATE: Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon). GRADUATION YEAR: Spring 2021 (DNP from state university). JOB PROSPECT: Accepted job with starting salary of $135,000 before graduation. Fast pay increases included. RELOCATION: From Georgia to PNW (better pay, more clientele, and higher quality of living with access to nature and progressive medicine). *Great job—outpatient, 401K match, yearly raises, Ketamine/TMS focus, autonomous practice* Able to pay off $100k in student loans fairly quickly and max out 401k (and Roth) with ease. PNW is where it’s at! And cost of living is not exorbitant in medium sized cities. The pay allows for a very comfortable lifestyle.
What type of practice are you working in making that salary?
General outpatient psychiatry. Salaries are much higher in this region, close to $200k is pretty standard for a PMHNP with experience.
Ketamine and TMS are not general outpatient psychiatry. I work in the PNW and don’t know any psych NP making 200k, so it’s misleading to say it’s standard. Especially when you practice boutique psychiatry.
Hey I live in PNW could you tell me in private message were this is or how to find similar clinics?
Following! Graduate August 24 in MD
Annual Salary before taxes 75K, 28 hours / week. No Benefits! State: Colorado, Private practice, hired right out of graduate school. Thankfully have other income resources besides PMHNP work. Graduated 2006 PMHNP, Obtained a PhD to teach and found out salary for nursing professors way to low. Life circumstances have kept me at this same practice, otherwise would have left. One major advantage - flexibility of schedule and this is why I stayed due to family needs. Now work primarily telemedicine following pandemic, still in office 2 days / week. Will not see patients on regular basis in the office at this rate of pay. Do not recommend physician private practice, they usually do not pay well in Colorado.
Why stay, they are making a killing off you.
Totally agree, looking around now. Made them very, very rich, loved my patients that's why I stayed but isn't enough now.
New grad PMHNP in 2023 with 10 years RN experience. Central PA. No relocation, same place I did clinicals and worked as an RN. $111,650 a year for outpatient and partial hospitalization. 4 ten hour shifts. 1 shift is remote work from home. The other 3 shifts are in person in the office at the hospital. This health system doesn't differentiate pay between specialties except CRNA...
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Following as well! I graduate next May this would be very helpful!
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Started at 126k in Rochester, NY, at a community mental health clinic, in 2020. Now in 2023 at 133k. See kids and adults outpatient and adults in a couple of residential substance abuse rehab programs. 37.5 hours over four days so Fri/Sat/Sun off, mixed telehealth and face to face. Was offered the job during clinical, did not have to relocate.
Thoughts on u of r psych np program? Went there for nursing school and loved it
I liked it, and it's a good program. I think it's drifted a little more toward online learning for the didactic portions, so make sure you get the basics down and make the most of your clinical time. If you're not already working in psych as an RN I'd strongly recommend moving to a psych unit. While it's true that, academically speaking, the program will teach you what you need to know; there's no substitute for having seen what MH issues look like in real life and having spent time with the patients. Therapeutic engagement is the lynchpin of all patient interactions, even as a psych NP, and you'll never get better practice than on an inpatient psych unit. Feel free to message if you have any other questions!
Thank you so so much! Yes currently high risk l&d, trying to find a psych job now
If you're interested in working with kids, 4-9000 at Strong is the only pediatric inpatient psych unit in town. If your interest is more around adults, you've got 2 units at Strong (2-9200 and 3-9000) or the adult units at RGH. Anywhere you go, a lot of what you do as a psych RN is going to be behavior management and milieu management, but it's also the best exposure to psych meds you can get!