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Psychiatric Rn Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Psychiatric RN Vallejo, CA

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$2.4K/wk

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Psychiatric RN Vallejo, CA $2462/Weekly Gross** Estimated pay package. Does not include taxes, insurance, or other deductions that may occur 8H Evenings 13 Weeks 40 Psychiatric Hospital Requirements

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Crescent City, CA · On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Psychiatric * Discipline: RN * Start Date: ASAP * Duration: 14 weeks * 40 hours per week * Shift: 8 hours, days * Employment Type: Travel About Catalytic Solutions At Catalytic Solutions, we're ...

New

Travel Nurse RN - Psychiatric

Saint Helena, CA · On-site

$2.2K - $3.0K/wk

Psychiatric * Discipline: RN * Start Date: 08/31/2026 * Duration: 10 weeks * 48 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, days * Employment Type: Travel Psychiatric RN: Provide compassionate nursing care to ...

New

Psychiatric RN Saint Helena, CA

Saint Helena, CA · On-site

$2.2K/wk

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Psychiatric RN Saint Helena, CA $2203/Weekly Gross**Estimated pay package. Does not include taxes, insurance, or other deductions that may occur 12H Days 13 Weeks 36 Short Term Acute Care Hospital ...

Travel Psychiatric RN

Saint Helena, CA · On-site

$2.2K - $3.0K/wk

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Specialty: Psychiatric * Discipline: RN * Start Date: 08/31/2026 * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, days * Employment Type: Travel * Aggressive Compensation Packages

RN Registered Nurse

Vista, CA · On-site

$40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead Compassionate Care During the Day As a Day Shift Psychiatric RN , you'll guide patient care during the most active hours of treatment. You'll combine clinical judgment, therapeutic communication ...

RN Registered Nurse

Vista, CA · On-site

$40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead Compassionate Care During the Day As a Day Shift Psychiatric RN , you'll guide patient care during the most active hours of treatment. You'll combine clinical judgment, therapeutic communication ...

RN - PSYCH

Saint Helena, CA · On-site

$2.6K/wk

... Psychiatric Registered Nurses (RN) provide care for patients with mental illness or disability. The nurses in this role are registered nurses with additional skills to work with difficult patients.

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Showing results 21-40

Psychiatric Rn information

See California salary details

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$2K

$2.9K

How much do psychiatric rn jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average weekly pay for psychiatric rn in California is $2,028.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,707.69 and $2,344.23 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Psychiatric RN?

A Psychiatric RN, or Psychiatric Registered Nurse, is a nursing professional who specializes in caring for patients with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders. They work in various settings, including hospitals, mental health facilities, and outpatient clinics. Their responsibilities include assessing patients' mental health needs, administering medications, providing therapeutic interventions, and collaborating with other mental health professionals to create and implement treatment plans. Psychiatric RNs play a crucial role in supporting patients and their families during treatment and recovery.

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

AspectPsychiatric RnMental Health Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse license, specialized psychiatric trainingRegistered Nurse license, mental health specialization often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinicsCommunity clinics, hospitals, mental health centers
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, mental health institutionsPublic health agencies, private clinics, hospitals

Both Psychiatric Rns and Mental Health Nurses are registered nurses with mental health expertise, working in similar environments. The main difference lies in terminology and regional usage, but their roles, credentials, and work settings are largely overlapping, focusing on patient care in mental health settings.

How much do psychiatric RNs make?

Psychiatric RNs typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on certifications, such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification, and whether they work in hospitals, clinics, or community settings.

What are some common challenges Psychiatric RNs face when working with patients in acute care settings?

Psychiatric RNs in acute care settings often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable patient behaviors, addressing complex mental health crises, and maintaining safety for both patients and staff. They must use strong assessment and de-escalation skills while working within interdisciplinary teams that include psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists. Additionally, they need to balance compassionate care with enforcing boundaries and protocols to ensure a therapeutic environment, which can be emotionally demanding but also rewarding.

Can a psychiatric RN work in a psychiatric hospital?

Yes, psychiatric RNs commonly work in psychiatric hospitals, providing mental health care, administering medications, and monitoring patient progress. They typically need specialized training in psychiatric nursing and may require state licensure or certification in mental health nursing.

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

To thrive as a Psychiatric RN, you need a solid background in psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, and patient assessment, supported by an RN license and specialized training in mental health. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), psychiatric medications, and behavioral health documentation systems is typically required. Strong soft skills such as empathy, de-escalation, active listening, and teamwork are essential for supporting patients in distress and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are critical for ensuring patient safety, effective care planning, and fostering therapeutic relationships in challenging mental health environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Psychiatric Rn jobs in California?

The most popular types of Psychiatric Rn jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Psychiatric Rn jobs?

Cities in California with the most Psychiatric Rn job openings:

Infographic showing various Psychiatric Rn job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 50% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,502 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Registered Nurse (Inpatient Psychiatric), Full-Time (Sacramento)

Northern California Behavioral Health System

Sacramento, CA

$48 - $55.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

POSITION TITLE: Inpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Nursing

Pay Scale: $48.00 - $55.50

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: The Inpatient Psychiatric RN top priority is to deliver high quality safe care to psychiatric inpatients in the acute locked hospital facility. The Inpatient Psychiatric RN provides direct care and treatment to inpatients and coordinates the care provided by other nursing personnel. The Inpatient Psychiatric RN plans and coordinates each patient's individual nursing care plans, and implements nursing related aspects of the multidisciplinary treatment plan (MDTP). The Inpatient Psychiatric RN embraces Santa Rosa Behavioral Healthcare Hospital's (SRBHH) mission, vision and value statements and adheres to and follows all the hospital policies and procedures. The Inpatient Psychiatric RN understands the regulations and standards that govern acute psychiatric hospital services and provides clear direction to their immediate nursing team to meet all regulations, standards, and requirements.

Requirements

Education/Licensure

  • Current California RN License
  • Current CPR certification or obtained within 30 days of hire
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) obtained within 30 days of hire
  • Knowledge and experience of psychiatric diagnosis and associated risks, medications, biological systems, nursing process, treatment planning, and leadership. New RN graduates may meet these requirements if they have completed a psychiatric rotation as part of nursing school or have psychiatric experience in another role.

Skills and Competencies:

The RN will pass initial and annual competency evaluations including (but not limited to): suicide prevention, de-escalation interventions, medication knowledge, code blue/emergency interventions, infection prevention, and appropriate use of seclusion and manual holds.

The RN will demonstrate leadership skills in applying knowledge and competency in daily nursing practice.

Maintain a working knowledge of commonly used policies, awareness of policy changes and know where to find additional polices and needed information.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

  • Stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and stand for sustained period of time.
  • Walk, push, pull, lift, carry objects from a lower to higher position or horizontally from position to position or otherwise move objects.
  • Feel sizes, shapes, temperatures, and textures by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
  • Express or exchange ideas orally and potentially loudly, accurately, or quickly.
  • Perceive the nature of sound with no less than a 40 dB loss @ 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction.
  • Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
  • Able to provide manual holds for patients who are physically acting out and are potentially dangerous (at times this occurs on the floor.)
  • Minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction.
  • While worker may possibly be subjected to temperature changes, the worker is generally not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside.

Job Description Attestation

Employee Statement of Understanding, Confidentiality, and Compliance

I agree to uphold the Missions, Vision, and Values:

I understand that this document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. The statements in this document are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is committed to protecting the confidentiality of information concerning patients, employees, and facility operations. Furthermore, We are committed to protecting the interests of our patients, community, and organization by ensuring that we consistently provide the highest quality healthcare services at the most affordable cost.

I agree that, as an employee of Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, I have a legal and moral responsibility to protect the confidentiality of privileged information obtained by me through the delivery of patient care and/or daily facility operations, and I agree not to share or release personal health information or other confidential information to anyone who does not have a right or need to know.

I understand that the improper communication of confidential information (i.e., the release, possession, copying, use, reading or discussion of such information inappropriately or without proper authority) is strictly prohibited and considered grounds for disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

Confidential information includes facts, anecdotes, data, perceptions and other knowledge of patients, employees, physicians, patient care providers and other organizational business obtained in the work environment. This includes, but is not limited to, information learned from verbal, written, computerized, faxed, emailed, audio or videotaped, observed, or other means.

I understand my responsibility to follow the Hospital's guidelines in the Confidentiality/Information Access policy. The policy is found in the Hospital Policy Manual and is available to all departments and units. I understand the Hospital will take disciplinary actions against anyone who does not follow these established guidelines.

It is the responsibility of all employees and members of Medical Staff to make certain all services are provided in an ethical, legal and compliant manner and to disclose to management any violation or potential violation of the Hospital's Codes of Conduct. I understand that failure to report fraudulent behavior will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Currently, I am aware of no unreported issue that could pose a risk of non-compliance to SBHH. If I am or do become aware of any activity that could pose a risk of non-compliance and/or may violate SBHH Code of Conduct, I will notify management or the Compliance Hotline

Benefits

Eligible employees receive holiday premium pay, health, dental & vision insurance, 401(k), healthcare & dependent care spending accounts, generous paid time off, life insurance, company-paid short and long-term disability coverage. Whether you are in intern looking to earn licensing hours, a health care worker looking for PRN work or a professional looking for a career, the opportunities are abundant at Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital.