Differences Between an FNP vs. a PMHNP
February 11, 2025
Advanced practice nursing roles provide unique opportunities to provide direct patient care, not only diagnosing illnesses but also planning and implementing treatment plans. For those who wish to provide this level of front-line clinical intervention, one of the most important decisions is selecting an advanced nursing specialty. Different certifications verify different specialty areas each with unique duties and responsibilities, along with an emphasis on different patient populations. Two of the most popular options for advanced practice nursing professionals are the family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) roles. Before choosing a particular path, it may be helpful to compare and contrast the FNP and PMHNP positions, both of which are viable options for nurses who pursue postgraduate certification. One of the first steps in assessing the two roles is to consider each one in turn, looking at the range of responsibilities and the population of patients served.
What Is an FNP?
FNPs are primary care nurse practitioners who treat patients of all ages. They provide a range of services, including assessment and diagnosis; they treat both chronic and minor acute illnesses, prescribing medications and educating patients on preventive care. They also work in various primary care settings, such as private practice, outpatient and community health clinics, and universities.
Duties and Responsibilities of an FNP
The duties and responsibilities of an FNP can vary but typically include the following:
- Diagnosing injuries and illnesses
- Creating and executing treatment plans
- Performing physical exams
- Prescribing medications (in states where advanced practice nurses have prescriptive authority)
- Discussing patient medical histories
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Counseling patients and families on wellness promotion and disease prevention
- Collaborating with physicians and other nurses to ensure a seamless continuum of care
What Is a PMHNP?
PMHNPs are advanced practice nurses who focus on substance abuse issues and mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They treat patients of all ages and provide psychological and physical assessments, evaluations and emergency psychiatric interventions. PMHNPs can be employed in various settings, from private mental health practices to long-term clinics. They can work in inpatient or outpatient facilities.
Duties and Responsibilities of a PMHNP
The duties and responsibilities of a PMHNP can vary but typically include the following:
- Assessing and diagnosing patients experiencing the symptoms of mental health disorders
- Developing and implementing treatment plans, which may include talk therapy, prescription medications and lifestyle changes
- Educating patients and their loved ones about mental health
- Conducting both mental health assessments and physical examinations to determine treatment needs
FNP vs. PMHNP: Essential Distinctions
While both of these positions are advanced practice nursing roles that involve direct patient care and require graduate education, training and certification, some important differences need to be considered.
Type of Patients
Both FNPs and PMHNPs provide care to patients of all ages. However, FNPs generally see patients who are seeking physical examinations, injury care or diagnosis for an acute illness. By contrast, PMHNPs see patients who are experiencing or having symptoms of mental health disorders; this may mean more chronic and complex conditions and multifaceted treatment plans.
Education
Both roles require a master’s degree in nursing followed by a more specialized certification and licensing. Also, while some of the coursework involved will be the same for all advanced practice nurses, some courses will be specific to the FNP or PMHNP. FNP courses are likely to focus on primary care across the lifespan, whereas PMHNP courses will focus on mental health care and interventions.
Students in an FNP post-master’s certificate program may take courses such as:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Care of Child/Care of Women
- Care of Adults and the Elderly
On the other hand, students in a PMHNP post-master’s certificate program may take courses such as:
- Psychiatric Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Care of the PMH Patient
- Care of the PMH Patient in Crisis
Salary
Another core FNP vs. PMHNP distinction is salary range.
- The median annual salary for an FNP is approximately $104,230 as of July 2024, according to Payscale.
- The median annual salary for a PMHNP is approximately $120,340 as of July 2024, according to Payscale.
For both of these positions, the salary range can vary according to factors such as years of experience and level of education, as well as geographic location.
Choosing a Path in Advanced Nursing Care
Nurses looking to further their education to provide more direct care to patients have plenty of certification options to choose from. The FNP and PMHNP roles are merely two of the most popular nursing roles.
One way to prepare for a lasting career in advanced practice nursing is to enroll in the online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) or the Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMC-PMHNP) programs at Walsh University Online. The programs are designed for working nurses, providing online work with hands-on clinical opportunities to prepare you for success in patient care and advocacy.
Explore the program, and find out how you can focus and provide important primary care as an FNP.
Sources:
Indeed, “FNP vs. PMHNP: Definitions, Differences and Similarities”
Payscale, Average Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary
Payscale, Average Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary