What does a mental health nurse do?
In this role, the mental health nurse may work with patients suffering from issues such as anxiety and depression, eating disorders or personality disorders. They often work as part of a healthcare team with medical staff such as social workers, therapists and psychiatrists. A mental health nurse can work in a hospital, a psychiatric ward, a private clinic and even sometimes in patients’ homes. Mental health nurses often gain specialisation throughout their career. This specialisation often relates to working with different groups of patients, for example young people, addicts, patients with obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mental health nurse skills and qualifications
Mental health nurses spend all day with patients in need. Emotional strength and determination are essential for this job. So is having a caring nature. The role requires some training on the legal context of work; this is to ensure people who are at risk of harming themselves are identified in a timely manner and are helped accordingly. The following skills should be kept in mind for successful candidates in this role:
- Having a caring nature and empathy towards people
- Being resilient and having the ability to distance from work psychologically
- Communicating well and being able to work with other healthcare workers
- Having a good knowledge of mental health conditions and mental health in general
- Having a good understanding of psychology
- Being a good listener
- Being able to apply a non-judgemental approach
Mental health nurse experience requirements
Mental health nurses can be employed as soon as they achieve the appropriate qualifications. On the job, they will be able to get first-hand experience which will allow them to feel more confident and to identify any desired area for specialisation. Experience in this healthcare profession is a plus and will give candidates who demonstrate it a significant advantage.
Mental health nurse education and training requirements
To train as a mental health nurse, candidates can choose between 3 different routes. These are a university course, an apprenticeship or a specialist course run by a professional body. At university, candidates can get a degree in mental health nursing approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council. They can also join a nursing degree on the second year of a course if they already have a degree in a health-related subject, psychology, life sciences or social work. The course takes about 3 years to complete on a full-time basis. Some candidates may complete an apprenticeship in nursing. This route takes about 4 years and blends on-the-job training and academic studies. Finally, some candidates already registered as nurses in a different area can get to this profession through a conversion course.
Mental health nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a mental health nurse is £32,852 per year. This salary will vary depending on the level of experience of the nurse, the type of institution or the employer and the location of the job.
Job description samples for similar positions
If you have not found what you are looking for in this article, check for other job description samples that are posted on our site for other roles similar to mental health nurse.
Mental health nurse job description FAQs
Where can a mental health nurse work?
This role can lead candidates to work in a general hospital, a psychiatric hospital or a secure hospital. Community and rehabilitation centres are also frequent employers for this position, as are nursing homes. A mental health nurse can also work in the special unit of a prison.
Typically, what is a day like for a mental health nurse?
Although no day is alike, a mental health nurse should expect their day to contain administrative tasks and practical tasks. They assess patients, administer medical treatments and plan patients’ ongoing care. Some days, if not all, will also contain activities to stimulate patients.
What career development can be offered to mental health nurses?
Being a mental health nurse opens the door to a wide range of opportunities for career development. These opportunities are linked to the types of specialisations available in this profession. Some mental health nurses choose to move into management or into teaching. Progressing towards clinical research is also possible.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
