, The Standards of Standards of Practice Standards of Pr
Practice for Psychiatric- Standard 1. Assessment Standard 7. Ethics
Mental Health Nursing The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse collects and synthesizes The psychiatric-menta
comprehensive health data that are pertinent to the patient’s/client’s ethically.
describe a competent health and/or situation.
Standard 8. Cultural
level of nursing practice Standard 2. Diagnosis The psychiatric-menta
demonstrated by the The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse analyzes the assessment perspective of cultural
data to determine diagnoses, problems, and areas of focus for care and
critical thinking model treatment, including level of risk. Standard 9. Commun
known as the nursing The psychiatric-menta
Standard 3. Outcomes Identification effectively in all areas o
process. The nursing The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse identifies expected
Standard 10. Profess
outcomes based on the patient’s/client’s goals and their individual
process encompasses circumstances. The psychiatric-menta
significant actions with others.
Standard 4. Planning
completed by registered The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse develops a patient/client- Standard 11. Leaders
centered plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected The psychiatric-menta
nurses and forms the outcomes. professional practice se
foundation of the nurses’ Standard 5. Implementation Standard 12. Educati
decision-making. The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse implements the patient/ The psychiatric-menta
client-centered plan. knowledge and compe
practice.
Standard 5A. Coordination of Care Standard 13. Evidenc
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse coordinates care delivery. The psychiatric-menta
Standard 5B. Health Teaching and Health Promotion evidence and research
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment. Standard 14. Quality
Standard 5C. Consultation The psychiatric-menta
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse provides consultation to maximize outcomes enhances the quality an
from the identified plan, collaborate with other clinicians to provide services for patients/clients, and contribute Standard 15. Profess
to system change. The psychiatric-menta
Standard 5D. Pharmacological/Biological Therapies and Prescriptive Authority own and others’ nursin
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse incorporates knowledge of pharmacological and biological Standard 16. Resourc
interventions with applied clinical skills to restore the patient’s/client’s health and prevent further disability. The psychiatric-menta
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse uses prescriptive authority, procedures, appropriate resources t
referrals, treatments, and therapies in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. based nursing services
Standard 5E. Complementary/Integrative Therapies responsible.
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse incorporates knowledge of complementary/integrative Standard 17. Environ
interventions (e.g., meditation, yoga, acupuncture, Reiki, Healing Touch, nutrition, physical exercises, dietary The psychiatric-menta
supplements, aromatherapy, herbology, art, and music) with applied clinical skills to restore the patient’s/client’s environmentally safe an
health and prevent further disability.
Standard 5F. Milieu Therapy
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse (including the graduate-level prepared PMH-RN and PMH-
APRN) provides a safe, therapeutic, recovery-oriented environment in collaboration with patients/clients,
families, and other clinicians/ancillary staff/care partners.
Standard 5G. Therapeutic Relationship
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse (including the graduate-level prepared PMH-RN and PMH-
APRN) uses the therapeutic relationship as the basis for interactions and the provision of care.
Standard 5H. Counseling and Psychotherapy
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse uses counseling interventions to assist patients/clients in their
individual recovery journeys.
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse conducts individual, couples, group,
and family psychotherapy, using evidence-based psychotherapeutic frameworks within the nurse–client
therapeutic relationship.
Standard 6. Evaluation
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse evaluates progress toward attainment of expected outcomes.
Source: American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, & International Society of Source: American Nurs
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. (2022). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice Psychiatric-Mental He
(3rd Ed.). Silver Spring, MD. ANA (pgs. 59–92). (3rd Ed.). Silver Spring,
825-105142-PMHN_C2_C3.indd All Pages
,Psychiatric-
Mental Health
Nursing Scope and Standards
of Practice
3rd Edition
, The American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
(APNA), and the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) are national
and international professional associations. This joint publication reflects the position of ANA,
APNA, and ISPN regarding the scope and standards of psychiatric-mental health nursing
practice and should be reviewed in conjunction with state board of nursing regulations. State
law, rules, and regulations govern the practice of nursing, while Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition guides registered nurses in the application
of their professional skills and responsibilities.
About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization
representing the interests of the nation’s 4.2 million registered nurses through its constituent/
state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing
profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the
workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying Congress and
regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
About the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is your resource for psychiatric-mental
health nursing. A professional organization with 15,000 members, APNA provides leadership to
promote psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses, improve mental health care for culturally
diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities, and shape health policy for the delivery of
mental health services. To facilitate professional advancement, APNA provides quality psychiatric-
mental health nursing continuing education; a wealth of resources for established, emerging, and
prospective PMH nurses; and a community of dynamic collaboration. APNA champions
psychiatric-mental health nursing and mental health care through the development of positions on
key issues, the dissemination of current knowledge and developments in PMH nursing, and
collaboration with stakeholders to promote advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis,
treatment, and evaluation of persons with mental health and substance use conditions. For more
information go to www.apna.org.
About the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN)
The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses exists to unite and strengthen the
presence and the voice of specialty psychiatric-mental health nursing globally, while influencing
healthcare policy to promote equitable, evidence-based and effective treatment and care for
individuals, families, and communities.
Cataloging-in-Publication data on file with Library of Congress
Copyright © 2022 American Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association,
and The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. All rights reserved. No part
of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBNs
Print 978-1-947800-97-7
ePDF 978-1-947800-98-4
ePUB 978-0-9993088-0-6
Mobi 978-0-9993088-1-3
SAN: 851-3481
Practice for Psychiatric- Standard 1. Assessment Standard 7. Ethics
Mental Health Nursing The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse collects and synthesizes The psychiatric-menta
comprehensive health data that are pertinent to the patient’s/client’s ethically.
describe a competent health and/or situation.
Standard 8. Cultural
level of nursing practice Standard 2. Diagnosis The psychiatric-menta
demonstrated by the The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse analyzes the assessment perspective of cultural
data to determine diagnoses, problems, and areas of focus for care and
critical thinking model treatment, including level of risk. Standard 9. Commun
known as the nursing The psychiatric-menta
Standard 3. Outcomes Identification effectively in all areas o
process. The nursing The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse identifies expected
Standard 10. Profess
outcomes based on the patient’s/client’s goals and their individual
process encompasses circumstances. The psychiatric-menta
significant actions with others.
Standard 4. Planning
completed by registered The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse develops a patient/client- Standard 11. Leaders
centered plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected The psychiatric-menta
nurses and forms the outcomes. professional practice se
foundation of the nurses’ Standard 5. Implementation Standard 12. Educati
decision-making. The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse implements the patient/ The psychiatric-menta
client-centered plan. knowledge and compe
practice.
Standard 5A. Coordination of Care Standard 13. Evidenc
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse coordinates care delivery. The psychiatric-menta
Standard 5B. Health Teaching and Health Promotion evidence and research
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment. Standard 14. Quality
Standard 5C. Consultation The psychiatric-menta
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse provides consultation to maximize outcomes enhances the quality an
from the identified plan, collaborate with other clinicians to provide services for patients/clients, and contribute Standard 15. Profess
to system change. The psychiatric-menta
Standard 5D. Pharmacological/Biological Therapies and Prescriptive Authority own and others’ nursin
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse incorporates knowledge of pharmacological and biological Standard 16. Resourc
interventions with applied clinical skills to restore the patient’s/client’s health and prevent further disability. The psychiatric-menta
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse uses prescriptive authority, procedures, appropriate resources t
referrals, treatments, and therapies in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. based nursing services
Standard 5E. Complementary/Integrative Therapies responsible.
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse incorporates knowledge of complementary/integrative Standard 17. Environ
interventions (e.g., meditation, yoga, acupuncture, Reiki, Healing Touch, nutrition, physical exercises, dietary The psychiatric-menta
supplements, aromatherapy, herbology, art, and music) with applied clinical skills to restore the patient’s/client’s environmentally safe an
health and prevent further disability.
Standard 5F. Milieu Therapy
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse (including the graduate-level prepared PMH-RN and PMH-
APRN) provides a safe, therapeutic, recovery-oriented environment in collaboration with patients/clients,
families, and other clinicians/ancillary staff/care partners.
Standard 5G. Therapeutic Relationship
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse (including the graduate-level prepared PMH-RN and PMH-
APRN) uses the therapeutic relationship as the basis for interactions and the provision of care.
Standard 5H. Counseling and Psychotherapy
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse uses counseling interventions to assist patients/clients in their
individual recovery journeys.
The psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse conducts individual, couples, group,
and family psychotherapy, using evidence-based psychotherapeutic frameworks within the nurse–client
therapeutic relationship.
Standard 6. Evaluation
The psychiatric-mental health registered nurse evaluates progress toward attainment of expected outcomes.
Source: American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, & International Society of Source: American Nurs
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. (2022). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice Psychiatric-Mental He
(3rd Ed.). Silver Spring, MD. ANA (pgs. 59–92). (3rd Ed.). Silver Spring,
825-105142-PMHN_C2_C3.indd All Pages
,Psychiatric-
Mental Health
Nursing Scope and Standards
of Practice
3rd Edition
, The American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
(APNA), and the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) are national
and international professional associations. This joint publication reflects the position of ANA,
APNA, and ISPN regarding the scope and standards of psychiatric-mental health nursing
practice and should be reviewed in conjunction with state board of nursing regulations. State
law, rules, and regulations govern the practice of nursing, while Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition guides registered nurses in the application
of their professional skills and responsibilities.
About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization
representing the interests of the nation’s 4.2 million registered nurses through its constituent/
state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing
profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the
workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying Congress and
regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
About the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is your resource for psychiatric-mental
health nursing. A professional organization with 15,000 members, APNA provides leadership to
promote psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses, improve mental health care for culturally
diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities, and shape health policy for the delivery of
mental health services. To facilitate professional advancement, APNA provides quality psychiatric-
mental health nursing continuing education; a wealth of resources for established, emerging, and
prospective PMH nurses; and a community of dynamic collaboration. APNA champions
psychiatric-mental health nursing and mental health care through the development of positions on
key issues, the dissemination of current knowledge and developments in PMH nursing, and
collaboration with stakeholders to promote advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis,
treatment, and evaluation of persons with mental health and substance use conditions. For more
information go to www.apna.org.
About the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN)
The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses exists to unite and strengthen the
presence and the voice of specialty psychiatric-mental health nursing globally, while influencing
healthcare policy to promote equitable, evidence-based and effective treatment and care for
individuals, families, and communities.
Cataloging-in-Publication data on file with Library of Congress
Copyright © 2022 American Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association,
and The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. All rights reserved. No part
of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBNs
Print 978-1-947800-97-7
ePDF 978-1-947800-98-4
ePUB 978-0-9993088-0-6
Mobi 978-0-9993088-1-3
SAN: 851-3481
