Entry Level Psychiatric Nurse Jobs
New grad psychiatric nurse jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong clinical internship work or a focused practicum can carry more weight than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Non-Profit & Social Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, with employers like New York State Office of Mental Health, Heartland Family Service, and LifeStance Health hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 70+ Entry Level Psychiatric Nurse jobs
Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. This is nearly one in five adults. Are you searching for the opportunity to make an impact on these individuals? Are you passionate about dispelling widespread stigma and misunderstanding associated with mental health?
For more than 70 years, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been a national leader in the treatment of mental health and addictive disorders throughout the lifespan. In conjunction with the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we continue to strive to be one of the nation’s foremost academic- based psychiatric care facilities and remain dedicated to providing professionals with state-of-the-art training and assistance.
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is seeking a dedicated part time Psychiatric Nurse to help support the General Adult I (7th floor) Department for its Oakland location. This position will work Day/Evening rotation, 8 hr shifts.
General Adult I on the 7th Floor is a 24-bed inpatient behavioral unit. They provide care to individuals in acute crisis with a range of diagnoses, including, but not limited to: Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders and comorbid personality disorders.
Experienced nurses may be eligible for up to $7,500 sign on bonus!
GN level candidate starting rate $35.75 (BSN $37.25)
Starting rate may be increased commensurate with previous nursing experience.
Responsibilities:
- Performs a nursing assessment and initial plan of care within 8 hours of patient's admission. Orients/educates patient regarding hospitalization.
- Documents in the medical record according to established policies.
- Maintains current knowledge of medication policies and practices, including side effects, dosage, and patient response.
- Completes medication administration safely and accurately, including transcription, administration, and documentation according to established policies.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of DSM IV diagnosis as evidenced by individual, group, and milieu therapeutic interventions.
- Manages crisis situations effectively using positive approaches. Adheres to Nursing Standards and Policies including ANA Standards for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, ANA Professional Code for Nurses, the WPIC policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act.
- Performs point of care testing per unit (i.e., glucose monitoring, urinalysis, Hemocults.)
- Performs charge RN responsibilities competently and effectively.
- Participates with unit management in Program Development and Performance Improvement Activities.
- Participates in interdisciplinary activities including, treatment team, staff meeting, co-worker feedback process and other committees as assigned.
- Follows research protocols as required.
- Maintains competency requirements.
- Attends two unit-based or institute-wide in-services yearly.
- Serves as mentor to students and new employees.
- Learns and utilizes up-to-date technology in delivery of patients care.
- Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
- Graduation from an approved School of Nursing required.
- BSN preferred.
- Six months of experience in Clinical Psychiatry preferred.
- Successful completion of the central and unit specific orientation programs including the medication proficiency examination.
- The incumbent must by physically capable of providing direct total physical care to unpredictable, potentially violent, mentally ill patients as necessary including lifting, supporting, running towards or away from areas where problems are occurring, and pushing and pulling equipment, such as, wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
- Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. This is nearly one in five adults. Are you searching for the opportunity to make an impact on these individuals? Are you passionate about dispelling widespread stigma and misunderstanding associated with mental health?
For more than 70 years, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been a national leader in the treatment of mental health and addictive disorders throughout the lifespan. In conjunction with the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we continue to strive to be one of the nation’s foremost academic- based psychiatric care facilities and remain dedicated to providing professionals with state-of-the-art training and assistance.
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is seeking a dedicated part time Psychiatric Nurse to help support the General Adult I (7th floor) Department for its Oakland location. This position will work Day/Evening rotation, 8 hr shifts.
General Adult I on the 7th Floor is a 24-bed inpatient behavioral unit. They provide care to individuals in acute crisis with a range of diagnoses, including, but not limited to: Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders and comorbid personality disorders.
Experienced nurses may be eligible for up to $7,500 sign on bonus!
GN level candidate starting rate $35.75 (BSN $37.25)
Starting rate may be increased commensurate with previous nursing experience.
Responsibilities:
- Performs a nursing assessment and initial plan of care within 8 hours of patient's admission. Orients/educates patient regarding hospitalization.
- Documents in the medical record according to established policies.
- Maintains current knowledge of medication policies and practices, including side effects, dosage, and patient response.
- Completes medication administration safely and accurately, including transcription, administration, and documentation according to established policies.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of DSM IV diagnosis as evidenced by individual, group, and milieu therapeutic interventions.
- Manages crisis situations effectively using positive approaches. Adheres to Nursing Standards and Policies including ANA Standards for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, ANA Professional Code for Nurses, the WPIC policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act.
- Performs point of care testing per unit (i.e., glucose monitoring, urinalysis, Hemocults.)
- Performs charge RN responsibilities competently and effectively.
- Participates with unit management in Program Development and Performance Improvement Activities.
- Participates in interdisciplinary activities including, treatment team, staff meeting, co-worker feedback process and other committees as assigned.
- Follows research protocols as required.
- Maintains competency requirements.
- Attends two unit-based or institute-wide in-services yearly.
- Serves as mentor to students and new employees.
- Learns and utilizes up-to-date technology in delivery of patients care.
- Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
- Graduation from an approved School of Nursing required.
- BSN preferred.
- Six months of experience in Clinical Psychiatry preferred.
- Successful completion of the central and unit specific orientation programs including the medication proficiency examination.
- The incumbent must by physically capable of providing direct total physical care to unpredictable, potentially violent, mentally ill patients as necessary including lifting, supporting, running towards or away from areas where problems are occurring, and pushing and pulling equipment, such as, wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
- Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
See All 70 Entry Level Psychiatric Nurse Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Psychiatric Nurse Job Market
Who's Hiring
- New York State Office of Mental Health14
- Heartland Family Service6
- LifeStance Health5
- Ultra Health3
- Northern Light Health3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services49
- Non-Profit & Social Services6
- Consulting & Professional Services6
- Education4
- Telecommunications3
Entry Level Psychiatric Nurse Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level psychiatric nurse job?
Employers hiring entry level psychiatric nurses prioritize clinical rotation experience in behavioral health or inpatient psychiatric settings, current RN licensure, and familiarity with de-escalation techniques. A practicum or internship completed in a mental health unit gives candidates a concrete edge at this stage. Highlighting coursework in psychopharmacology, patient assessment, and therapeutic communication also strengthens an application when direct experience is limited.
Which companies hire entry level psychiatric nurses?
Companies hiring entry level psychiatric nurses right now include New York State Office of Mental Health, Heartland Family Service, and LifeStance Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from hospital health systems, inpatient behavioral health facilities, community mental health centers, and residential treatment organizations that build their psychiatric nursing teams through new graduate pipelines.
Are there remote entry level psychiatric nurse jobs?
Yes, though most psychiatric nursing roles involve direct patient contact and are on-site. About 15% of entry level psychiatric nurse openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and these positions typically involve telehealth intake assessments, care coordination, or behavioral health case management rather than inpatient floor duties.
Are these new grad psychiatric nurse jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior psychiatric nurse roles. A posting is new grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts clinical rotations or supervised internships toward the requirement, or explicitly invites candidates without prior full-time nursing employment. Searching for openings that accept a practicum or portfolio demonstrates this level of openness.
Which industries hire the most entry level psychiatric nurses?
Entry Level psychiatric nurse roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Non-Profit & Social Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they operate inpatient units, crisis stabilization programs, and outpatient behavioral health services that depend on a steady pipeline of newly licensed psychiatric nurses to meet patient care demand.