Mental health nurse

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• a specialist course run by a professional body

University

You can do a degree in mental health nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council . You might be able to study another area of nursing alongside mental health nursing.

You might be able to do a degree in mental health nursing and social work. You'll need to check that the course is recognised by the relevant professional bodies.

You might be able to join the second year of a nursing degree if you already have a degree in:

• a health-related subject
• psychology
• life sciences
• social work

Full-time courses usually take 3 years.

Armed forces

You can also train as a mental health nurse in the armed forces. You can find more information at:

• British Army
• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You might be able to apply for a Registered Nurse Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you work in a healthcare setting like a hospital.

The degree apprenticeship takes around 4 years and is a mix of academic study and on-the-job training.

You'll need the support of your employer to do a degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some experience before you apply for nurse training.

You could:

• get some experience working in healthcare
• volunteer with a charity that offers mental health services
• find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT

OtherRoutes

If you're already a registered nurse, you might be able to take an 18-month mental health nursing conversion course to become a mental health nurse.

You'll need to speak to your employer if you want to take this route.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• knowledge of psychology
• active listening skills
• knowledge of medicine
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• customer service skills
• knowledge of biology
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to learn through your work
• the ability to work well with your hands
• maths skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Mental health nurses work in hospitals and the community, to support people with mental health issues.

In this role you could:

• assess, support and build effective relationships with patients
• identify when people are at risk and respond to those in distress
• encourage patients to take part in therapies and social activities
• provide physical care if a patient needs it
• give medication, monitor its effect and update patient records

Location : You could work at a health centre, at an adult care home, in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's home, at a GP practice or in a prison.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• specialise in an area of mental health like working with children, teenagers or women
• become a nursing sister, ward manager or health visitor
• move into management and become a matron or director of nursing
• become an advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse consultant if you have a postgraduate qualification
• carry out research and training, become self employed or work overseas