Mental Health Nursing

Mental health nurses, also known as psychiatric nurses, work with people who are experiencing mental health challenges. Mental health nurses work with the person to empower them in a way that promotes recovery, independence and self-care. 



At the heart of mental health nursing is the development of an empowering therapeutic relationship and this may be done in partnership with the person’s family and supporters. The mental health nurse journeys with the person and their family facilitating them to find hope, control and opportunity on their recovery journey. Mental health nurses promote the concept of health and wellbeing in both community services and in a hospital environment.

Mental health nurses work as part of a team that includes doctors, social workers, therapists and psychiatrists. They work in a range of settings, including community, addiction services, prison services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and hospitals. 

The four-year degree course will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the needs of the person and their family in an individualised, empowering and culturally sensitive manner. The shift patterns can be very flexible; you can work short or long days, nights or weekends or a combination of all of these. 

Once qualified, mental health nurses can diversify and progress their career through continued study at graduate level. This can lead to a career in management, clinical specialist practice, advanced practice, clinical research or teaching at clinical or university level. 

Mental health nursing could be the career you are waiting for!

Courses in mental health nursing