According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), there are over 431,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs) working in the United States. Each NP chooses a specialty area, and some of the most common types of nurse practitioners are family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

To qualify to practice as a nurse practitioner requires at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), along with a valid registered nurse license, specialty training through a fellowship or internship, and certification. There are several factors to consider when choosing between the FNP and PMHNP specialties, and we’ve outlined some of them below.

Understanding the Types of Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in an area of medicine, such as family practice, psychiatric care, pediatrics, or women’s health. Working as an NP in one of these specialties requires certification through either the AANP or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Aside from solidifying one’s skills, board certification is generally a requirement of state boards of nursing to qualify to practice. For individuals interested in working in primary care, either the FNP or PMHNP specialty can be a good option.

Job Descriptions and Responsibilities of FNPs and PMHNPs

Family care is a broad and flexible area, while psychiatric care is more specialized and focused. While NPs working in both specialties serve patients at an advanced level and typically form long-term relationships with their patients, they do not share all of the same duties or scope of practice.

FNP Overview

FNPs provide nonacute care to families and individuals across the lifespan, from infancy to older adulthood. According to the AANP, 70% of NPs are FNPs.

Some of the most common duties for FNPs are:

• Performing physical exams and health screenings
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
• Developing medical treatment plans
• Prescribing medications
• Educating and counseling patients about health maintenance and disease prevention
• Keeping track of patient updates and concerns

PMHNP Overview

PMHNPs provide mental health care to patients of all ages. They may diagnose and treat mental health or substance use disorders and work alongside other primary care providers.

Some of the most common duties for PMHNPs are:

• Recommending and performing relevant mental health screenings
• Diagnosing psychiatric disorders and issues
• Treating mental health conditions, including through different counseling and therapy methods
• Monitoring related health care issues
• Educating and advocating for patients and their loved ones
• Coordinating services with other primary health care providers

Salary Information

FNPs and PHMNPs all have competitive salaries. Payscale reports on the salaries of each position. The median annual salary for FNPs was about $107,560 as of July 2025. PHMNPs had a median annual salary of around $124,590 as of June 2025.

While these are median salaries, an individual NP’s specific income depends on their location, experience, education, and employer. Payscale outlines some of the skills that could also affect the salaries of these nurses. Here’s a sample of key skills for each nurse specialty and the percentage of potential salary increase that can come from improving them:

• Family nurse practitioners: leadership (24%), patient education (18%), patient counseling (18%), prescription administration (15%), diagnosis and treatment planning (12%), clinical assessment (7%), clinical research (6%)
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners: counseling (9%), oncology (5%), electronic medical records (4%), pediatrics (2%), prescription administration (1%)

Work Environments

Family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work in a number of different environments. According to 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most (49%) nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in doctor’s offices, followed by those who work in hospitals (25%), outpatient centers (8%), offices of other health practitioners (4%), and educational services (3%).

Other places where family nurse practitioners work include community health centers, schools, nursing homes, urgent care centers, and long-term care facilities. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners may also work in universities or colleges, inpatient psychiatric care centers, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, substance use facilities, government psychiatric facilities, and private practices.

How to Choose Between the FNP and PMHNP Specialties

With so many options to consider, it can be difficult for an aspiring NP to decide which specialty is a good fit for them. Volunteering, getting advice from colleagues, or researching programs can help in the decision-making process.

Choosing whether to pursue a career as an FNP or PMHNP may come down to these factors:

• Work setting: While some of their work environments overlap, these NPs focus on different populations or conditions, and thus are each qualified to work in different settings.
• Future career goals: The scope and training of a family nurse practitioner typically allow them to have a broad set of career options, including opening their own practice. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners focus on psychiatric care, which qualifies them to provide mental health care.

Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career With a Master’s Degree

Individuals deciding on which type of nurse practitioner to be have many factors to consider, most importantly, what population of patients they wish to serve and which areas of care they prefer to focus on. Once that decision is made, the next step is to earn an advanced degree.

Felician University Online offers a Master of Science in Nursing, FNP program and a Master of Science in Nursing, PMHNP program, each of which can be completed in roughly two years and three months. Graduates are prepared to take the national certification exam to become certified nurse practitioners in their chosen specialty. The programs have a dedicated clinical placement team to help students gain access to the best clinical experience.

In 2024, the MSN program was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online MSN programs. With three admissions windows per year, students have the flexibility to begin when they’re ready. Learn how Felician University Online can help you get started as an FNP or PMHNP and serve patients.