What experience do you need to be a Psych travel nurse?

Usually 1–2 years of recent inpatient psych experience. Requirements are set by each hospital, so check the job post.

What certifications do Psych travel nurses need?

Most Psych contracts require BLS and a crisis prevention or de-escalation certification (CPI, MAB or the hospital's own), and many prefer PMH-BC. Bring current cards: agencies verify them before submitting you.

What is the nurse-to-patient ratio for Psych?

Only California sets ratios in law: 1 nurse to 6 patients (Title 22 CCR §70217). Elsewhere it's hospital policy, so ask on the interview.

Psych travel nurse

Also posted as behavioral health and psychiatric.

Usually 1–2 years of recent inpatient psych experience. Most contracts require BLS and a crisis prevention or de-escalation certification (CPI, MAB or the hospital's own); many prefer PMH-BC. California, the only state with ratios in law, caps Psych at 1 nurse to 6 patients.

Updated October 2026

Inpatient behavioral health: adult, adolescent, geriatric or detox units. Safety training and the unit's population matter more than in most specialties.

What agencies ask for

Experience: Usually 1–2 years of recent inpatient psych experience.
Required on most contracts: BLS and a crisis prevention or de-escalation certification (CPI, MAB or the hospital's own)
Often preferred: PMH-BC
Also expect: A skills checklist and references from your recent Psych managers, and a license for the state (or a multistate license where it applies).

Ratios and floating

California minimum: 1 nurse to 6 patients. Title 22 §70217

Traveler reports on Psych ratios and floating appear here once a hospital's Psych has 3 reports. Report a unit you worked on.

What Psych travelers were offered

No Psych offers shared yet. Pay is published as medians once 3 travelers have shared.

Decode a Psych job post Share an offer anonymously

Ask before you sign

Which population: adult, adolescent, geriatric, detox?
How are restraints and seclusion handled, and who responds to codes?
How many techs per shift?
What's the usual ratio on days and on nights, and who covers breaks?
How many orientation shifts do travelers get, and are they paid?
Which charting system does the unit use?

Questions

What experience do you need to be a Psych travel nurse?: Usually 1–2 years of recent inpatient psych experience. Requirements are set by each hospital, so check the job post.
What certifications do Psych travel nurses need?: Most Psych contracts require BLS and a crisis prevention or de-escalation certification (CPI, MAB or the hospital's own), and many prefer PMH-BC. Bring current cards: agencies verify them before submitting you.
What is the nurse-to-patient ratio for Psych?: Only California sets ratios in law: 1 nurse to 6 patients (Title 22 CCR §70217). Elsewhere it's hospital policy, so ask on the interview.

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