The need for mental health resources has never been greater in Texas and throughout the nation. Texas ranks last in the U.S. for mental health care. The need is even more pronounced in rural areas, where the incidence of mental health issues far outweighs the availability of providers.

Unmet needs

• 1 in 5 – Adults suffer from a mental health issue¹
• 80% – Texas counties with fewer than one mental health clinician for every 30,000 residents²
• 168 of 254 – Texas counties without a psychiatrist²
• 211 of 254 – Texas counties without an advanced-practice mental health nurse as of 2019²

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs)

• 23,000 in the U.S.³

Expected PMHNP job growth by 2031⁴:

• 5% for outpatient mental health and substance use centers
• 8% for offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)
• 5% for psychiatric and substance use hospitals

Salary ranges⁵:

• Texas: $88,000 - $194,000 (Average $130,500)
• U.S.: $88,000 - $236,000 (Average $144,000)

Cizik School of Nursing:

• Outstanding PMHNP faculty

• One-on-one faculty advising

• Interactive, hybrid experience

• Unmatched clinical opportunities at sites including UTHealth Houston’s Dunn Behavioral Center, the largest academic psychiatric center in the country

• Unparalleled career opportunities

Our Graduates:

• 223 – PMHNP graduates to date

• 56 – Currently enrolled PMHNP students

Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) PMHNP track:

• 1 year – Minimum psychiatric nursing experience required to apply

• 96-100% – ANCC certification pass rate in the past five years⁶

• $34,000 – Estimated tuition

• $41,000 – Estimated total program costs

Learn more about the PMHNP program at Cizik School of Nursing.