Mental Health Nurse

A Mental Health nurse supports not only their patients but their support networks, such as relatives or close friends, as well.

To aid patient recovery they may advise on suitable therapies, activities or groups, administer medication and identify and respond to any potential risks. They also plan and provide care, encourage patients to engage with therapeutic and clinical interventions and empower them to expand their knowledge about their mental health condition to gain better control over it.

Patients may experience mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia or other forms of psychosis, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or addiction. Additionally, they may choose to specialise in working with certain groups, such as patients with physical or learning disabilities, patients with autism, the elderly, women, patients with eating disorders, children within the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), and forensic patients.

Mental Health Nurse is also known as Nurse.

Role Characteristics

Assess, talk and listen to people about their conditions and discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care
Respond to distressed people and attempt to understand the source of their pain
Help people manage their emotions and support them to gain control of their situation
Prepare and participate in group or one on one therapy sessions
Help people take their medication correctly and monitor results of treatment
Work alongside other health and care professionals to provide the best care

Skills

Attention to detail
Empathy
Observation
Resilience
Communication
Working under pressure

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about work as a Mental Health Nurse.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

BTEC

A-Levels

Undergraduate degree

Degree apprenticeship

Postgraduate degree

How to become

There are many routes into nursing; these include university or apprenticeships.

You will normally need 5 GCSEs including English, maths and sciences, or equivalent.
You will normally need either A-Levels, BTEC or T-Levels depending on your preference in learning. However, volunteering and work experience is valued by employers. If you already have a degree, you might be able to study for a postgraduate qualification.

There are other routes into Mental Health nursing such as Nurse degree apprenticeships and Nursing associate apprenticeships.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

To practice as a Mental Health Nurse, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

You could be working with certain groups, such as children, women, or older people, or in a specific area such as eating disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, drugs and alcohol, depression and anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder. This role can lead to being a Senior Nurse, Matron or Clinical Team Manager. It can also lead to Postgraduate studies or into a field of specialist research.