Mental Health Nurse
What is the work like?
Mental health nurses work in hospital and community settings to support people with a range of mental health issues. They work closely with clients, their families, friends and carers to develop therapeutic and healing relationships.
As a mental health nurse, you would support people living with conditions such as:
- anxiety
- depression
- stress-related illnesses
- personality disorders
- eating disorders
- drug and alcohol addiction.
You could work with a variety of clients or specialise and work with a particular group, such as adolescents or offenders. Your duties could involve:
- counselling and support (either one-to-one or in groups)
- using role play, art, drama and discussion as therapies
- physical care, if the patient is too old or ill to look after themselves
- giving medication to patients.
You would work closely with support workers, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and health visitors. You may also assist clients when dealing with social workers, the police, relevant charities, local government and housing officials.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To work as a mental health nurse, you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (mental health branch).
To get on to an NMC approved course, you need to:
- provide evidence of your literacy and numeracy, good health and good character, and recent successful study experience
- meet the minimum age requirement for nurse training – 17.5 years old in England
- have a CRB check (a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working within the NHS).
For this branch you are likely to need previous experience, paid or unpaid, of working with people who use mental health services. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice.
Course providers can also set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:
- nursing diploma – five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
- Advanced Diploma in Mental Health Nursing – this qualification and the entry requirements for it lie between diploma and degree level
- nursing degree – usually the same GCSE grades as the diploma, plus two or three A levels, possibly including a biological science.
Check with universities for exact entry details because alternative qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted. You can search for nursing courses and apply through UCAS.
If you are equally interested in social work, you could take a degree in, for example Mental Health Studies (Nursing and Social Work), which would qualify you to practice as a social worker or mental health nurse. You could also pursue a range of other job roles related to mental health practice.
Funding – nursing diploma and degree courses attract a non-repayable bursary to cover living expenses. Bursaries for a diploma (or Advanced Diploma) are non-means tested; bursaries for the degree are means-tested. Course fees are also usually paid. Check the NHS Student Bursaries website for details.
Alternative entry routes:
Cadet scheme – you could prepare for a career in nursing by completing a two-year Cadet Scheme or Apprenticeship. Schemes vary between Trusts, but will usually include clinical placements and working towards an NVQ Level 3 in Health. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. You could also contact your local NHS Trust for details of cadet schemes.
Working in a caring role – if you are a healthcare assistant with an NVQ Level 3 in Health, you may be able to apply for a secondment to nurse training. Your employer would pay you a salary whilst you study and when you qualify, you will usually be expected to work them for around two years.
Accelerated pre-registration postgraduate courses – if you have a degree in a health-related subject, you could qualify by taking a fast-track two-year postgraduate course. You will find a list of NMC approved programmes in the Education section of the NMC website.
Overseas trained nurse – if you trained as a nurse outside the UK and EEA, you may need to complete an Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) before you can start work. For more details contact the NMC.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are on a nurse training programme you will divide your time between university or college, and supervised placements in local hospitals and the community. Courses usually take three years full-time to complete.
During the first year you will follow the Common Foundation Programme, which includes:
- an introduction to the four branches of nursing and maternity care
- developing observational, communication and caring skills
- studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, social policy
- learning core practical skills.
In the remaining two years you specialise in the mental health branch and work in relevant clinical and community placements.
Professional registration – as a qualified nurse you must renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. To re-register you need to have worked a minimum of 450 hours and completed at least 35 hours' professional development every three years. Check with the NMC for details.
Return to practice – if you are a former registered nurse wishing to return to the profession, you can take a return-to-practice course. Contact your local NHS Trust for details.
Where can I go for more information?
School of Nursing and MidwiferyMedical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
Tel: 028 9097 2233
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Nurses can earn between £20,200 and £26,200 a year.
- Nurse team leaders can earn up to £32,600.
- Team managers can earn £38,300.
- Nurse consultants can earn up to £64,100.
Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, which could include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays. Part-time or extra hours may also be available.
You could be based in a day hospital, outpatients department, community healthcare centre or specialist unit (for drug dependency, for example). If you work with offenders, you could work in a secure unit or special hospital.
In the community, you would mainly work day shifts. However, some NHS trusts operate an on-call rota system for emergencies. You may need a driving licence to work in the community.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an understanding, sympathetic and non-judgmental manner
- excellent communication and listening skills
- the ability to gain a patient’s trust
- an understanding of body language and other non-verbal communication
- the ability to empathise and relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
- the ability to stay calm and in control in difficult situations
- a persuasive manner with the ability to encourage patients to follow treatment plans
- assertiveness and the ability to represent patients’ interests.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs within the NHS. You can also work within the private or independent sectors, prison service, or local authority social services.
As a qualified and experienced registered nurse, you could progress to sister, ward manager or team leader, responsible for efficiently running a ward, or team of nurses in the community. You could go on to become matron or director of nursing.
Another way to progress is to pursue a clinical specialism and gain promotion to nurse practitioner and nurse consultant. As a consultant, you would work directly and independently with patients, carry out research and develop and deliver training (you would usually need a Masters degree or PhD).
With at least six months experience as a qualified nurse, you could train in another branch by completing a ‘second registration’ course. This will take around one year and you will usually need evidence of recent study and financial support from your employer. You could also train in health visiting, or become self-employed or work overseas.
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