Mental health nurse
Mental health nurses work in hospitals and the community, to support people with mental health issues.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
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
Working environment
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.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- specialise in an area of mental health like working with children, teenagers or women
- become a clinical team leader, 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
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- 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
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- a specialist course run by a professional body
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:
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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
More Information
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
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
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
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.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Career tips
You'll be expected to understand how the NHS values apply in your work when applying for a course or apprenticeship.
Further information
You can find advice about working and training as a nurse from the Royal College of Nursing and Health Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.