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Mental Health Rn Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

RN - Behavioral Health

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$2.1K - $2.3K/wk

Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (RN) | Vallejo, CA Make a meaningful difference in mental health care by providing compassionate support to patients on their journey toward healing and recovery.

RN - Behavioral Health

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$2.1K - $2.3K/wk

Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (RN) | Vallejo, CA Make a meaningful difference in mental health care by providing compassionate support to patients on their journey toward healing and recovery.

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Mental Health Rn information

See California salary details

$18

$43

$77

How much do mental health rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for mental health rn in California is $43.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.14 and $52.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Mental Health RNs face when working with patients in acute psychiatric settings?

Mental Health RNs in acute psychiatric settings often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable patient behaviors, de-escalating crises, and maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff. They also need to balance empathetic communication with clinical boundaries, and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams—including psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists—to create effective care plans. Adaptability, resilience, and strong teamwork are essential for navigating these dynamic and sometimes high-stress environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mental Health RN?

To thrive as a Mental Health RN, you need a solid foundation in psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, and patient assessment, supported by an active RN license and specialized mental health training. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), behavioral health documentation systems, and de-escalation techniques is often required. Compassion, emotional resilience, and strong communication skills help build trust and effectively support patients facing mental health challenges. These skills are vital for ensuring patient safety, fostering therapeutic relationships, and delivering effective, holistic mental health care.

What is a Mental Health RN?

A Mental Health RN (Registered Nurse) is a licensed nurse who specializes in caring for patients experiencing mental health issues or psychiatric disorders. They work in settings such as hospitals, psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, and community health organizations. Their responsibilities include assessing patient needs, administering medications, developing care plans, providing therapeutic support, and collaborating with other mental health professionals. Mental Health RNs play a crucial role in promoting recovery, patient safety, and overall well-being for individuals struggling with mental health conditions.

What is the difference between Mental Health Rn vs Psychiatric Nurse?

AspectMental Health RnPsychiatric Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN) license, mental health certificationsRegistered Nurse (RN) license, psychiatric certifications
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, mental health facilitiesPsychiatric hospitals, mental health units, community clinics
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, mental health organizationsPsychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics
Job FocusAssessing, treating mental health conditions, patient advocacyManaging psychiatric patients, administering medications, crisis intervention

Both roles require RN licensure and mental health training, but Mental Health Rns often focus on assessment and therapy, while Psychiatric Nurses may have a more clinical, medication management role. They work in similar environments and serve overlapping populations, making them closely related in the mental health field.

What are popular job titles related to Mental Health Rn jobs in California? For Mental Health Rn jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mental Health Rn jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Mental Health Rn jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Mental Health Rn jobs? Cities in California with the most Mental Health Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Mental Health Rn job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,418 per year, or $44 per hour.

Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Wellington Regional Medical Center

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

The Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed professional responsible for delivering comprehensive, patient-centered psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient behavioral health environment. The RN performs ongoing assessments, develops individualized plans of care, implements therapeutic interventions, and evaluates patient responses. This role requires strong clinical judgment, crisis-management skills, and the ability to maintain a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented milieu for patients experiencing acute and chronic psychiatric conditions.

Heritage Oaks Hospital is part of the UHS Family of Providers which has been highly regarded as an integral part of the greater Sacramento and Northern California mental health system since 1988. Conveniently located in northern Sacramento, Heritage Oaks is a fully accredited, 125-bed acute psychiatric hospital offering a full range of individually tailored treatment services to adolescents, adults, and senior adults, including treatment for substance abuse and chemical dependency issues with drugs and alcohol. Heritage Oaks is a Medicare provider in addition to contracts with most commercial health insurance plans. We are committed to providing service excellence to all and ensuring our patients receive the optimal level of care that will be most beneficial to their health and recovery.

Heritage Oaks offers comprehensive benefits such as: competitive compensation, excellent medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plan, generous paid time off, 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan, career development opportunities within UHS and its subsidiaries, and education assistance. Challenging and rewarding work environment.

Qualifications:

  • Education: Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing required; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
  • Preferred Experience: Minimum of three (3) years' psychiatric nursing experience preferred. Demonstrated competency in assessment, crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, and milieu management.
  • Licensure: Current California RN license. Current CPR certification. Completion of Handle with Care (HWC) training, including seclusion/restraint competencies, within 30 days of hire. Successful completion of medication-administration and developmental-competency exams.
  • Additional Requirements: Ability to adapt to changing patient needs, acuity levels, and assignments. Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to maintain composure and clinical effectiveness in high-stress situations.

About Universal Health Services:

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $14.3 billion in 2023. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 96,700 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

EEO Statement:

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.