A psych RN nurse, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Registered Nurse, is a licensed RN who specializes in caring for patients with mental health conditions. This specialty is defined by a two-stage credentialing process: first, achieving general RN licensure, and second, often pursuing additional certification in psychiatric nursing. The foundational step for any psych RN nurse is passing the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse.

After securing RN licensure, a nurse can enter the psychiatric field. While not always mandatory, the gold-standard credential is the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (RN-BC) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Earning this certification involves:

Meeting Clinical Practice Requirements: You must complete a minimum number of supervised clinical hours in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Passing the ANCC Specialty Exam: This rigorous, computer-based test assesses advanced knowledge specific to the role of a psych RN nurse. The exam focuses on key areas including:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: Utilizing standardized tools and clinical interviews.
- Therapeutic Modalities: Implementing evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing.
- Pharmacology: Managing psychotropic medications and monitoring for side effects.
- Legal and Ethical Standards: Applying principles related to patient rights, confidentiality, and involuntary treatment.

It is crucial to distinguish this RN-level certification from an advanced practice credential. A psych RN nurse provides direct patient care, administers medications, and leads therapeutic groups under a treatment plan. In contrast, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) holds a master’s or doctoral degree and can prescribe medications and diagnose independently, which requires passing a different, more advanced ANCC or AANP exam. Therefore, the dedicated psych RN nurse pathway is firmly rooted in the NCLEX-RN and validated through specialized, competency-based certification.