2026 Career Planning Guide
NURSING SPECIALITIES KEY: n Minimum Education required n Certifications required n Experience needed n Certification credential n Possible employment n Professional Organization n References / Resources
care for patients all across the lifespan. They also shatter the stigma associated with mental health care and treatment by educating patients, families, health care peers, and their communities that recovery from mental health and substance use disorders is possible. PMH nurses work in a variety of settings, including emergency departments, inpatient facilities, long-term care facilities, outpatient treatment programs, residential treatment facilities, and in community settings. PMH-RNs practice with an RN license and meet state board of nursing requirements.
n RN-BC, PMHNP-BC n Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Certification
n Equivalent of 2 years of practice as a full-time registered nurse 2,000 hours in clinical practice as a psychiatric-mental nurse within last 3 years; 30 CE hours in psychiatric-mental health nursing within last 3 years n RN-BC, PMHNP-BC
n Hospitals( acute care settings); continuing care( i. e., long-term care and assisted living centers); home healthcare; military service; community health settings; ambulatory care centers; out patient surgery centers; medical / physician offices; retail clinics; correctional facilities; private practice; outpatient treatment programs
n American Psychiatric Nurses Association( www. apna. org) n Resources: http:// bit. ly / 2jeXfNW
Progressive Care Nurse
Progressive care nursing is growing and career opportunities exist where ac ill patients are cared for, such as intermediate care units, direct observation units, step-down units, telemetry units, transitional care units and emergenc departments. Work involves practice in intense environments where acutely ill adult patients require complex interventions and continuous care.
n ASN / ADN( BSN or MSN encouraged) n Certification for Progressive Care Nurses
n PCCN Option # 1: 1,750 hours as RN or APRN in direct bedside care of acutely ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. n PCCN Option # 2: Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct bedside care of acutely ill adult patients, 144 of those hours \ accrued in the most recent year preceding application.
n PCCN n Hospitals( acute care settings) n American Association of Critical-Care Nurses( www. aacn. org)
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses( PHN) care for entire populations rather than one patient at a time. PHNs work with whole communities to: educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety and increase
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