Nurse - Mental Health
Help people manage their mental health and wellbeing. You'll provide expert care during crises and empower people in their long-term recovery.
About the job
What it's like
Are you a caring, compassionate person who'd love to help others make positive changes to their life? If so, you may be interested in a career as a mental health nurse!
In this role, you'll use a range of therapeutic approaches to support people as they manage their mental health and build coping strategies. Mental health nurses help people make sense of their diagnosis and recognise their triggers. You'll work with individuals to develop a plan that ensures they stay well and are able to manage future crises.
As a mental health nurse, you'll support patients who suffer from a wide range of mental health conditions. These can include anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, addiction or psychosis and schizophrenia. You may also work with those who have dementia or conditions related to perinatal mental health.
Your tasks might include:Â
building trusting, long-term therapeutic relationships with the people you support and their families
listening sympathetically and non-judgementally to people and helping them follow treatment plans
carrying out regular mental health assessments, monitoring changes in behaviour or mood and observing for side effects of medication
responding to emergencies, de-escalating situations and supporting people during mental health crises
challenging stigma and advocating for people's rights, ensuring their care aligns with Scotland's mental health and human rights principlesÂ
collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team – this'll include psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and support workersÂ
You'll need more than just clinical skills to work as a mental health nurse. You should understand people on a deep level, build trusting relationships and advocate for their rights. Increasingly, this is one of the most fulfilling and vital roles in healthcare.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
NHS Scotland Careers – learn how to become a mental health nurse
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – get details of the standards for nursing training
Disclosure Scotland – discover more information about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- empathising
- researching
- verbal communication
- listening
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Care
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Chemistry
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Childcare and Development
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Human Biology
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Skills for Work: Health Sector
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You'll need a degree to work as a mental health nurse in Scotland.
University
Mental health nurses must have a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as Mental Health Nursing.
The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) offers Access to Nursing and Access to Health and Social Care courses. These courses allow people who have been out of education for a few years to gain a qualification that will get them into a degree course.
To apply for a SWAP course, you'll need to have been out of education for either:
three or more years if your highest qualifications are at National 5 level
five or more years if you studied Highers
Use the My World of Work course search to find Mental Health Nursing degrees and SWAP courses.
College
Are you already working in healthcare? Or perhaps you don't have the qualifications you need to get in to a Mental Health Nursing degree?
These HNC courses are stepping stones that can help you get into a Mental Health Nursing degree:
Care and Administrative Practice
Healthcare Practice
Social Services
Apprenticeships
Want to build some relevant skills or gain more qualifications before going to university? You might want to consider a Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a mental health nurse. Search for caring-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Once you've qualified as a mental health nurse, you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
All mental health nurses must be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
You'll need to complete a medical examination to make sure you're physically fit.
You must provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Nurse - Mental Health'
