Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Pennsylvania

Psychiatric Nurse jobs in Pennsylvania are in consistent demand, concentrated across inpatient behavioral health units, community mental health centers, and integrated hospital systems, with openings ranging from entry-level staff positions through senior clinical and charge nurse roles. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown anchor the state's hiring activity, with established employers such as Jefferson Health, UPMC, and Tower Health maintaining ongoing psychiatric nursing needs across their networks. Geriatric psychiatry, substance use disorder treatment, and child and adolescent behavioral health are the most sought-after specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles80
Top employerUPMC
Top cityPittsburgh, PA
Cities hiring41
Work type41% Hybrid
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 80+ Psychiatric Nurse jobs

UPMC
Psychiatric Staff Nurse - Atrium (ATR - 13th floor) Evening/Night 8 & 12-hour shifts
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UPMC
Added 1d ago
Psychiatric Staff Nurse - Atrium (ATR - 13th floor) Evening/Night 8 & 12-hour shifts
UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$35.75 - $37.25/hr
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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UPMC
Psychiatric Staff Nurse - 90% Co-Occurring Disorders Unit (CDU - 10th Floor) Evening/Night three 12-hour shifts
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UPMC
Added 1d ago
Psychiatric Staff Nurse - 90% Co-Occurring Disorders Unit (CDU - 10th Floor) Evening/Night three 12-hour shifts
UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$35 - $37/hr
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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US Department of Veterans Affairs
Psychiatric Licensed Practical Nurse
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US Department of Veterans Affairs
Added 1d ago
Psychiatric Licensed Practical Nurse
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$35k - $64k/yr
On-Site
Military encouraged
10,000+

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Mount Nittany Health
Psychiatric Liaison Nurse
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Mount Nittany Health
Added 2d ago
Psychiatric Liaison Nurse
Mount Nittany Health
State College, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
BLS Certification
1,001-5,000

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Haven Behavioral Healthcare
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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Haven Behavioral Healthcare
Added 4d ago
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Haven Behavioral Healthcare
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physicians
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Psychiatric Nurse Jobs by City in Pennsylvania

Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Pittsburgh
21 jobs
Philadelphia
9 jobs
York
5 jobs
Ambler
3 jobs
Washington
2 jobs
Wilkes-Barre
2 jobs
Connellsville
2 jobs
Erie
1 job
Irwin
1 job

Psychiatric Nurse Job Market in Pennsylvania

A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • UPMC
    UPMC11
  • Blackbird Health
    Blackbird Health7
  • Optum
    Optum6
  • WellSpan Health
    WellSpan Health5
  • Vital Healthcare Solutions
    Vital Healthcare Solutions5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Pennsylvania Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in psychiatric nurse jobs across Pennsylvania.

  • Active Registered Nurse license issued or recognized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing or higher preferred by most Pennsylvania health systems
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMHN or PMHNP-BC) for mid-level and senior roles
  • Experience with electronic health records systems used across Pennsylvania hospital networks
  • BLS and CPI or de-escalation certification required by most inpatient behavioral health units
  • Strong familiarity with Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act and mandatory reporting obligations

Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a psychiatric nurse in Pennsylvania?

To become a psychiatric nurse in Pennsylvania, you must first earn a nursing degree, complete an accredited RN program, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, then obtain licensure through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. From there, most nurses pursue psychiatric-specific experience in inpatient or outpatient behavioral health settings. Earning the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center strengthens candidacy significantly at Pennsylvania health systems.

How much do psychiatric nurses make in Pennsylvania?

Psychiatric nurses in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $96,430 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $70,800 for the lowest 10% to over $117,900 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire psychiatric nurses in Pennsylvania?

Employers hiring psychiatric nurses in Pennsylvania right now include UPMC, Blackbird Health, and Optum, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's large integrated health systems and standalone behavioral health hospitals account for the bulk of ongoing openings across both inpatient and community-based settings.

Which Pennsylvania cities have the most psychiatric nurse jobs?

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and York have the most psychiatric nurse openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads due to its concentration of academic medical centers, large health systems, and community mental health programs, while Pittsburgh's strength in integrated hospital networks drives steady hiring there, and Allentown reflects growing demand in the Lehigh Valley corridor where regional health systems have expanded behavioral health capacity.

Are there remote psychiatric nurse jobs in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but they're rare. About 62% of psychiatric nurse openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on, direct-care nature of most psychiatric nursing roles. The positions most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are telepsychiatry triage support, case management coordination, and utilization review nursing within larger Pennsylvania health systems.

How can I get hired as a psychiatric nurse in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate nurse residency programs at Pennsylvania health systems such as UPMC, Jefferson Health, or Tower Health, several of which include behavioral health rotations. Candidates without direct psychiatric experience often transition from medical-surgical, emergency, or substance use detox units, where overlapping clinical skills are recognized. Completing a psychiatric clinical rotation during your nursing program, holding an active Pennsylvania RN license, and obtaining CPI certification before applying gives candidates a measurable edge.

Where can I find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in Pennsylvania?

You can find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 80 Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in Pennsylvania

Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Psychiatric Nurse Jobs