Mental health nurse
Mental health nurses work with people suffering from various mental health conditions and their family and carers to offer help and support in dealing with the condition. The work involves helping the patient to recover from their illness or to come to term with it in order to lead a positive life.
The nurses may specialise in working with children or older people, or in a specific area such as eating disorders. Mental health nurses often work in multidisciplinary teams, liaising with psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, GPs, social workers and other health professionals.
As a registered mental health nurse (RMN), you may work with patients in a variety of settings including their own homes, community health care centres, hospital outpatients departments or specialist units, or secure residential units.
The work carried out by a mental health nurse can vary depending on the setting and specialist group they are working with. But the role typically consists of:
In the community, the role may also involve:
Salary data from NHS Careers. Salary figures are intended as a guide only.
A pre-registration nursing degree or diploma that is accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) is required in order to work as a mental health nurse. These are three year courses which combine theoretical and practical training and lead to registration with the NMC. The diploma courses are being phased out however and from September 2013 only the degree programme will be available.
The nursing programmes can be taken in four disciplines: children (paediatric), adult, learning disability and mental health. Candidates usually need to choose their discipline before beginning the course. The first year of the course is spent studying common foundation modules that cover all branches of nursing. The next two years are then spent specialising in the chosen discipline. Some degree courses may take up to four years to complete.
Part-time courses are available, which take five to six years. These are particularly useful for those who wish to work and study at the same time. If working in the NHS, perhaps at an assistant practitioner level, the candidate will usually get support from the employer and may get help with funding and study leave.
Graduates from a health-related first degree, e.g. biomedical sciences, biology, psychology, etc. may be able to enter a shortened nursing programme that takes two years to complete. Candidates must usually demonstrate an interest in nursing and some experience, such as voluntary work, caring for a relative, etc. Entry requirements vary across institutions and candidates should contact the individual university to find out more details.
A postgraduate qualification is not required to become a mental health nurse. However postgraduate courses are available after becoming a registered nurse to enable career progression.
Statutory bursaries and tuition fees for degree and diploma nursing programmes are available in each part of the UK. Further information is available from course providers or:
Candidates for work in mental health nursing will need to show evidence of:
The ability to empathise with and show warmth towards the people you are caring for is very important.
Work experience will always be of use when applying for courses or jobs to show your interest and dedication to the profession. Voluntary work in a hospital, mental health charity or community work will all be beneficial. Any other work experience that involves caring for others will also help.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Nurses are required to renew their Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registration every three years by completing a notification of practice (NOP) form and paying a renewal fee. The notification form confirms that the post-registration education and practice (PREP) requirements have been met. To comply with this, 450 hours of registered practice and 35 hours of learning activity must have been completed in the previous three years.
The NHS recognises the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) and is committed to providing post-registration training which will count towards the 35 hours of learning activity. Training is usually planned to suit the individual’s pace and circumstances. For more details see The PREP Handbook .
In Scotland, all newly qualified practitioners are entitled to participate in Flying Start NHS , a personal development programme aimed at supporting individual learning and building confidence during the first year of practice in NHS Scotland.
Post-registration specialist practitioner courses are available and usually last for one academic year, although some can be completed in a shorter time if credit is given for prior learning and experience. Courses cover theory and practice in four main areas:
Masters courses are also available and nurses are encouraged to continue with their education and development.
Personal development planning is central to nursing posts in the National Health Service (NHS). This is implemented through the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, which determines required competencies for posts and provides the framework for which pay progression is achieved and reviews are carried out.
Career progression may involve developing a specialism in an area such as alcohol or substance misuse, forensic psychology, psychotherapeutic interventions or working with offenders. Some posts exist for mental health nurses to work with children and young people.
There are also opportunities to move into educational roles, such as:
Nurses may join unit or trust management teams in both advisory and executive capacities, making decisions that directly affect patient or client welfare, including financial and staffing matters. In hospitals and residential provision, you can progress to posts such as nurse manager or nurse consultant, which may also open up opportunities to work in a more specialist role. For these positions you are likely to need further qualifications, possibly to Masters level, plus relevant experience. In some cases the more senior posts have less hands-on nursing responsibilities.
There are increasing opportunities for experienced staff in the private and independent health care sectors, or you may choose to move into roles in social services, the prison service, voluntary organisations, or residential nursing homes. There are also a variety of opportunities overseas for qualified and experienced UK nurses in a range of countries, with posts in both paid and voluntary capacities, and in private and state services.
The National Health Service (NHS) employs the majority of mental health nurses. While some work in mental health and secure hospitals, the majority work out in the community in a variety of settings including:
Some mental health nurses also work in special units within prisons or for telephone helplines such as NHS Direct . It employs qualified professionals to act as the first point of contact for people experiencing healthcare problems, including mental health issues.
Outside the NHS, leading employers include:
Some projects are jointly run by the NHS in partnership with social services, local authority departments and/or other agencies. Many posts offer the chance to work in a more specialist role with a particular group of clients, or involving those with a specific mental health condition.
Specialist recruitment agencies often handle vacancies. Try the Nursing Agencies List for contact details.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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