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The Current Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse Workforce
11 Bethany J. Phoenix, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
|February 23, 2019
Summary
Psychiatric mental health registered nurses (PMHNs) are a vital, yet often overlooked, part of the behavioral health workforce. Improving data collection and visibility is crucial for recognizing their significant contributions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Health Workforce Research
- Nursing Workforce Analysis
- Mental Health Services Delivery
Background:
- Psychiatric mental health registered nursing (PMHN) professionals are essential for mental health and substance use care.
- The current PMHN workforce demographics and employment patterns are not well-documented.
- Limited data hinders accurate representation of PMHNs in behavioral health workforce discussions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and describe the current PMHN workforce.
- To evaluate existing data sources and identify data gaps.
- To discuss future actions and research directions for the PMHN workforce.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of currently available data, including unpublished sources.
- Description of the PMHN workforce characteristics and employment settings.
- Identification of data limitations and accessibility challenges.
Main Results:
- PMHNs are the second-largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S.
- The PMHN workforce is aging, predominantly female, and largely Caucasian but becoming more diverse.
- Shortages of PMHNs exist in rural areas, and the workforce is often overlooked in research.
Conclusions:
- Despite their significant numbers, PMHNs are largely invisible in psychiatric literature.
- There is a need to correct misperceptions and increase awareness of the PMHN workforce's importance.
- Enhanced data visibility and recognition are critical for government agencies, healthcare organizations, and the nursing profession.
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