Mental health nursing
Mental health nursing is a specialised field of nursing focused on the care and support of individuals with mental health disorders.
A mental health nurse is a registered nurse (RMN) with specialist training in the area of mental health. Mental health nurses work in hospitals, in community health centres, residential settings or even in people’s own homes to support people with mental health issues.
You'll work as part of a wider healthcare team which includes GPs, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, arts therapists and healthcare assistants.
Training
You will need to complete an undergraduate degree in Mental Health Nursing at university. Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply for a degree-level apprenticeship, or could complete your training through the British Armed Forces.
If you're already a registered nurse working in a different field, you may be able to qualify through a mental health nursing conversion course.
Regulation
Once qualified, you have register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the professional regulator overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. Registration with the NMC is a legal requirement to practise as a mental health nurse in the UK.
Professional body
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the largest nursing union and professional body in the UK. The RCN represents over half a million nursing staff and students in the UK and internationally. Members are spread across over 100 branches in 12 countries and regions, with 2,000 members acting as workplace representatives.