Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
Psychiatric Nurse jobs in Kentucky see consistent demand across inpatient behavioral health, community mental health centers, and correctional facilities, with openings at every level from new graduates to advanced practice-eligible nurses. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green are the primary hiring hubs, home to established employers such as Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. Inpatient psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and forensic nursing are the most active specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Psychiatric Nurse JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 25+ Psychiatric Nurse jobs









At White House Clinics, we do health care differently. Our multi-disciplinary care teams incorporate the expertise of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and care navigation professionals to provide patients with comprehensive care designed to help them achieve their health goals. While our work is fast-paced, our teams enjoy being able to work collaboratively to support patients.
White House Clinics employees enjoy a competitive wage and robust benefit package including:
- Employer Paid Health, Life & Disability Insurance
- 4 Weeks of PTO
- Retirement Plan with up to 4% Matching
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Tax-Free Loan Repayment Opportunities
- CE Time & Expense Account
- And More!
Many employees work alternative work schedules which allow them a day off during the week.
At White House Clinics, we believe in providing our employees with opportunity for both personal and professional growth in a challenging and rewarding work environment. We recognize the contributions that each person makes to the team and value each person’s input as we work to deliver outstanding patient care.
BASIC FUNCTION
Nurse Practitioner provides primary care services, including assessing and managing patients in the clinic, following established standards and practices.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES
- Performs a complete physical exam, obtains complete medical history and records findings. Orders appropriate laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Interprets and integrates data to determine preliminary diagnosis and therapeutic plan.
- Conducts one on one patient teaching and education. Educates patients regarding health and illness prevention.
- Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient’s clinical problems and health care needs.
- Participates in Quality Assurance activities and chart reviews.
- Records physical findings, and formulates plan and prognosis, based on patient’s condition. NP agrees to keep current and accurate records in accordance with clinic medical protocol and is obligated to provide adequately detailed information to allow accurate and truthful coding of diagnosis and services provided.
- Discusses case with Physician and other health professionals, when/as needed to prepare comprehensive patient care plan.
- Prescribes or recommends drugs or other forms of treatment such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures.
- Refers patients to Physician for consultation or to specialized health resources for treatment.
- Administers medications and injections in compliance with state law and clinic guidelines. Sutures minor lacerations.
- Instructs patient/family regarding medications and treatments.
- Recommends community resources to meet patient and family needs.
- Collaborates with physicians in managing acute and long-term medical needs of patients. Provides monitoring and continuity of care between physician visits. Maintains and reviews patient records, charts and other pertinent information. Posts tests and examination results. Triages patient telephone calls and provides consultation.
- Maintains patient confidentiality.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports to the Chief Medical Officer.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Nurse Practitioner may supervise as preceptor to a nurse practitioner student per organizational guidelines. Employee carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include instructing students; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS
May require prolonged sitting, some bending, stooping, stretching, and lifting (generally not in excess of 50 pounds at a time). Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a medical or dental business office environment. Requires frequent contact with staff and the public. Frequently exposed to blood, toxic or caustic chemicals. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment. Work may be stressful at time.
WORKING HOURS
40+ hours/week. A position exempt from wage and hour laws, job may require work weeks in excess of forty hours and/or irregular schedule from time to time.
SALARY
Starting at $98,000, annually.
The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work. The health center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. Additionally, this job description is not intended as an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and the Center continues to maintain its status as an at-will employer.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Education: BSN, MSN preferred. Successful completion of an approved Nurse Practitioner program.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional nursing experience in a clinic setting, plus 2 years of nurse practitioner experience.
License: Nurse Practitioner licensed in the state of Kentucky. Certification by national certifying organization. American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification.
Qualifications:Position requires the knowledge of professional nursing theory, practices, and regulations related to the provision of patient care, the use of medical equipment and instrumentation, and common safety hazards and precautions to establish/maintain a safe work environment. Employee must possess skill in applying and modifying the principles, methods and techniques of professional nursing to provide ongoing patient care, taking medical histories to assess medical condition and interpret findings. Candidate must have the ability to maintain quality control standards, ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations, ability to interpret, adapt and apply clinical guidelines and procedures, and the ability to communicate clearly and establish/maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff and the public.
See All 25 Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatric Nurse JobsPsychiatric Nurse Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Psychiatric Nurse Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in psychiatric nurse jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky Registered Nurse license issued by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program
- Current BLS and preferably CPI or MANDT crisis intervention certification
- One or more years of clinical experience in a psychiatric or behavioral health setting
- Familiarity with electronic health records systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Strong de-escalation skills and experience with involuntary commitment documentation
Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a psychiatric nurse in Kentucky?
To work as a psychiatric nurse in Kentucky, you must hold an active Registered Nurse license issued by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Most psychiatric nurse roles require at minimum an Associate Degree in Nursing, though many Kentucky employers prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Gaining clinical hours in a behavioral health or inpatient psychiatric unit strengthens your candidacy significantly.
How much do psychiatric nurses make in Kentucky?
Psychiatric nurses in Kentucky earn a median of about $81,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,170 for the lowest 10% to over $111,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire psychiatric nurses in Kentucky?
Companies currently hiring psychiatric nurses in Kentucky include LifeStance Health, Telos Health Systems, and Wellpath, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's network of regional behavioral health nonprofit agencies and state-operated psychiatric facilities also maintains steady hiring throughout the year.
Which Kentucky cities have the most psychiatric nurse jobs?
The cities with the most psychiatric nurse openings in Kentucky are Richmond, Frankfort, and Hopkinsville. Louisville leads due to its concentration of large hospital systems and dedicated behavioral health campuses, while Lexington draws openings from University of Kentucky Health and regional community mental health centers, and smaller cities reflect demand from county-level behavioral health agencies and correctional health contractors.
Are there remote psychiatric nurse jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. About 67% of psychiatric nurse openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which reflects how hands-on and facility-based most psychiatric nursing work is by nature. The roles most likely to include any remote component are telepsychiatry triage support, care coordination, and utilization review positions attached to larger health systems.
How can I get hired as a psychiatric nurse in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate nurse residency programs at large Kentucky health systems such as Norton Healthcare or Baptist Health, which structure rotations through behavioral health units. Entry-level roles in residential treatment facilities, crisis stabilization units, and detox centers frequently accept new graduates. A Kentucky RN license, a CPI crisis intervention certification, and clinical hours completed during nursing school in a psychiatric setting give candidates a clear edge over peers with none of these credentials.
Where can I find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across hospital systems, community mental health centers, correctional health providers, and residential facilities. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from the listings below.
See All 25 Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatric Nurse Jobs