Nurse - Mental Health

Also known as:

Mental Health Nurse
Psychiatric Nurse
Registered Mental Nurse (RMN)

Introduction

Mental health nurses care for mentally ill patients. They will care for and counsel clients and help them to cope with, or recover from mental illness. They may teach basic self care and assist in specialist therapies.

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Work Activities

Mental health nurses care for clients with mental illness, by helping them to regain their health and return to the community where possible.

Some of their clients have short-term illnesses such as depression or phobias. Others may have more serious problems such as eating disorders or schizophrenia and are likely to need long-term professional support. Some people with mental health problems display anti-social or challenging behaviour.

Nurses are skilled in observing the condition of individuals to detect any significant changes at an early stage. They will talk to clients individually and in groups, as well as providing practical nursing care.

They aim to establish trusting relationships with their clients, encouraging them to discuss their problems and listening to their points of view.

Mental health nurses organise group activities such as hobbies, games, sport and different types of work that help with personal development. Some help to set up links between the hospital and the local community. They also visit clients at home to give support both to them and their families.

The nurses work in teams, which may include consultant psychiatrists, senior doctors, psychiatric social workers and occupational therapists. Together, these professionals plan treatment and monitor progress.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to be self aware and very interested in people's behaviour. The ability to remain non-judgemental and objective is an important aspect of the role. You will need to be sensitive and tolerant when caring for clients and their families.

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Pay and Opportunities

National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities.

On the Agenda for Change pay scales a newly qualified nurse is on Band 5. From April 1, this has been £20,2245 - £26,123 a year. A nurse team leader is on Band 6 (£24,103 - £32,653), while a nurse team manager is on Band 7 (£29,091 - £38,352 a year).

At the highest levels, matrons and nurse consultants can earn up to £64,118, depending on responsibilities.

Nurses work a basic 37.5-hour week. Shift work is usual. Some employers offer flexi-time working, and overtime is common.

Most mental health nurses work in the NHS (in hospitals and in the community). Other employers include the armed forces and private health care providers.

There may also be opportunities to work in other countries. (Some countries require additional qualifications).

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. To start training as a nurse, you must be aged at least 17 (17 and a half in England) on the day the course starts. You must be at least 16 before you can apply for the course.

If you don't have the qualifications that are usually needed to enter a degree or DipHE in nursing course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, eg, Access to Nursing. You don't usually need any formal qualifications to start an Access course, but you should check individual course details.

Other routes into nursing training for mature entrants can be a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 3 in a relevant subject (e.g. care) modular course credits from the Open University, or Return to Practice courses.

Shortened or accelerated training courses are available for some graduates. For example, a two-year nursing diploma can be taken if you have a degree in a relevant subject area, such as life sciences, social sciences or in health-related topics.

Students on a pre-registration nursing or midwifery diploma or degree course are eligible for a bursary.

Other possible sources of funding include local health authority trust funds and charities.

The Royal College of Nursing also administers a number of post-registration scholarships and awards for experienced and qualified nurses.

The Government is keen to welcome qualified and experienced people back into the NHS. If you have not practised for five years and want to return to the NHS, you will need to join a Return to Practice programme (approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council). The courses refresh clinical skills and there are classroom sessions to discuss theory.

Many Return to Practice courses are part time. Funding may be available from the Scottish Executive or your employer.

Financial support may include a bursary while taking the course, payment for the clinical placement periods, and help with travel and childcare costs.

For more information, contact your local NHS Trust.

• 31% of nurses work part-time.
• 6% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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