Mental health nurses, also known as psychiatric nurses, can work in hospitals as well as in the community. They support people with a range of conditions such as:

• anxiety
• depression 
• stress-related illnesses
• personality disorders
• eating disorders
• drug and alcohol addiction.

They can work with a variety of different patients or specialise and work with a particular group such as adolescents or offenders. Their work can involve:

• giving medication to patients
• counselling and support (either one-to-one or in groups)
• using role play, art, drama and discussion as therapies
• physical care, if the patient is too old or ill to look after themselves.

Mental health nurses work closely with patients and their families, friends and carers to develop supportive, healing relationships. They work as part of a team, which can include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and health visitors. They will also liaise with social workers, the police, relevant charities, local government and housing officials where necessary.

Hours and Environment

Nurses in the NHS generally work 37.5 hours a week, which can include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays. Many hospitals offer flexible hours of work. Extra hours may also be available, either as overtime or through nursing agencies.

As a mental health nurse, you can work in day hospitals, outpatient departments, community healthcare centres and specialist units (for drug dependency, for example). If you work with offenders, you may be based in a secure unit or special hospital.

As a community mental health nurse, you will mainly work day shifts, however, some NHS trusts operate an on-call rota system for emergencies. You may need a driving licence to work in the community.

Skills and Interests

To be a mental health nurse, you should:

• be understanding, sympathetic and non-judgmental
• be a good listener and able to gain a patient’s trust
• be able to interpret body language and other non-verbal communication
• be able to empathise and relate to people of all ages and backgrounds 
• be able to stay calm and in control in difficult situations
• be persuasive, able to encourage patients to follow treatment plans
• be assertive, able to represent patients’ interests.

Entry

To qualify as a registered nurse you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing, specialising in the mental health branch.

To get onto an approved course you need to meet some general requirements set by the NMC. These include:

• providing evidence of your literacy and numeracy, good health and good character, and recent successful study experience 
• meeting the minimum age requirement for nurse training - 17.5 years old in England, 17 in Scotland, and 18 in Northern Ireland and Wales
• agreeing to have a criminal records bureau check (a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working within the NHS). 

For this branch you are likely to need previous experience, paid or unpaid, of working with people who use mental health services. Course providers can also set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:

• nursing diploma - five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
• nursing degree - usually the same GCSE/S grades as the diploma, plus two or three A levels/H grades, possibly including a biological science.

If you do not meet the course entry requirements listed please check with universities because alternatives, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may be accepted. 

Some institutions offer an NMC approved Advanced Diploma in Nursing. This qualification and the entry requirements for it lie between diploma and degree level. 

Applications for diploma courses in England are made through NMAS (for all other regions, check the contacts listed in Further Information); for degree courses you apply through UCAS.

Alternative entry routes:
Cadet scheme - if you are 16-19 years old you can prepare for a career in nursing by doing a two-year Cadet Scheme. The scheme includes clinical placements and working towards a qualification such as an NVQ Level 3 in Health, or Health and Social Care. Entry criteria can vary, so it is important to contact your local hospital trust or NHS Careers (in Further Information) for details.

Working in a caring role - if you are a healthcare assistant or support worker, for example, you may be able to work towards a related NVQ/SVQ at level 3. This will often satisfy the entry requirements for a nursing diploma; check the Healthcare Assistant job profile for more information.

Accelerated postgraduate courses - as a registered nurse in an alternative branch, or a graduate with a first degree in a health-related subject, you may be able to qualify by taking a fast-track two-year postgraduate course. Check with individual institutions for entry details; applications are made through NMAS.

Overseas trained nurse - if you are a nurse who trained overseas (outside the UK and EEA) you may need to complete the NMC approved Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) in order to begin professional practice in the UK. For more details contact the NMC in Further Information.

Training

During nurse training you will divide your time between university or college, and supervised placements in local hospitals and the community. Courses usually take three years of full-time study (four years in Scotland).

The first year of an approved nursing course follows the Common Foundation Programme. This will include:

• an introduction to the four branches of nursing and maternity care
• developing observational, communication and caring skills
• studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, social policy
• learning core practical skills.

In the remaining two years you specialise in the mental health branch of nursing and work in relevant clinical and community placements.

Funding is available for nurse training. Nursing diploma and degree courses attract a non-repayable bursary to cover living expenses; bursaries for a diploma (or Advanced Diploma) are non-means tested; bursaries for a nursing degree are means-tested. Course fees are also usually paid. For more details about student financial support, check the NHS Careers website in Further Information.

As a qualified nurse you need to renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. In order to re-register you must complete a minimum of five days' (35 hours) related study within the previous three-year period, which can be anything that has helped you maintain or develop your role within nursing. Check the NMC website for information on additional criteria and advice.

If you are a former registered nurse wishing to return to the profession, you can take a return-to-practice course; available throughout the UK, these courses consist of a mixture of theory and practice. Contact NHS Careers (in Further Information) for details.

Opportunities

As a nurse, you will find most job opportunities within the NHS. However, you can also work within the private sector, the prison service, or local authority social services.

As a nurse in the mental health branch, you can go on to train in another branch of nursing (adult, child, learning disability) or health visiting; check the relevant job profiles for details. There are also opportunities for self-employment, and working with nursing agencies.

As a qualified and experienced registered nurse, you may be able to progress into the role of sister, ward manager or team leader. In this role you will be responsible for efficiently running a ward, or team of nurses in the community, conducting appraisals and performance reviews.

You may have the opportunity to continue in a management role as a matron or director of nursing. Another way to progress in your career is to pursue a clinical specialism, seek promotion as a nurse practitioner and ultimately become a nurse consultant. 

As a nurse consultant, you will spend at least half of your time working directly and independently with patients. This role will also include conducting research in your area of expertise and creating and implementing training. To be a consultant, you need a Masters degree or PhD.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Newly qualified nurses working in the NHS earn between £19,200 and £24,800 a year. 
Nurse specialists can earn up to £31,000.
Team managers can earn £36,500.
Nurse consultants can earn between £35,000 and £61,000.

Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.

Further information

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