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Mental Health Nurse(specialism of Nurse)

Mental Health Nurse(specialism of Nurse)

Do you want to become a Mental Health Nurse(specialism of Nurse)? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Mental health nurses work with people of all ages who suffer from mental illness. They aim to help them overcome their illness and cope with everyday life. They deal with a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and stress-related illnesses to more complex problems, including personality disorders, eating disorders and drug and alcohol dependency.

The work of mental health nurses can include:

  • building a relationship of trust with clients
  • talking and listening to clients, helping them to deal with their problems
  • advising a client's family, friends and carers on how to support the client and cope with difficult situations
  • working with GPs, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, health visitors and other professionals to plan treatment and monitor progress
  • noticing and reacting to changes in a client's condition
  • providing physical care for clients unable to look after themselves
  • administering medication and using psychological therapies
  • counselling and support, either with individuals or in groups
  • role play, art, drama and discussion.

Most mental health nurses care for clients in the community. They may spend a lot of time travelling, so usually need a driving licence. They work in residential hostels, day centres, clients' homes and special units like drug dependency units. Others work in hospitals.

Nurses in the National Health Service (NHS) work 37.5 hours a week. In hospitals and residential care homes this may involve shift work to cover evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Most community work is done during the day, with an on-call rota for emergencies. Overtime, part-time and flexible hours are often available.

Salaries in the NHS range from around £18,114 a year for a newly-qualified nurse, to over £50,000 a year for a nurse consultant. Nurses are paid extra for overtime, shifts, being on call and if they work in or near London. Mental health nurses should:

  • relate well to clients of all ages
  • have good communication skills and enjoy working in a team
  • have maturity, compassion and sensitivity
  • be persuasive and assertive.

Most nurses work for the NHS. Others work in the private sector and in social services teams.

Nursing students study towards a degree or a diploma course, or a postgraduate course if they already have a degree. The course starts with a year-long Common Foundation Programme, covering the basic principles of nursing. Students then go on to do a specific programme in mental health nursing. They usually have to decide which branch of nursing they wish to specialise in at the beginning of the course. For more general information about becoming a nurse, see Nurse. On completing their course, mental health nurses must register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

Experienced mental health nurses can progress to become community mental health nurses, team leaders or charge nurses, and eventually, nurse consultants. They can take further training to work in another branch of nursing - adult, child or learning disability. They may also work in research or teaching.