Want a challenging and rewarding career in nursing?

 

What is mental health nursing?

Mental health nursing is a challenging, demanding but incredibly satisfying career. You can not put someone’s mind in plaster, like a broken wrist, but by using your personality and communication skills you can nurse someone to recover from a mental health problem.

 

Mental health problems can affect us all

1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem. A mental illness could be anything from anxiety, depression and phobias to panic attacks, eating disorders or dementia.

15% of pre-school children will have mild mental health problems and 7% severe, whilst 10-20% of young people involved in criminal activity are thought to have a ‘psychiatric’ disorder.

You can help these people to recover from their illness and empower them to improve their overall quality of life within the communities that they live.

 

How do I know if it’s right for me?

First and foremost you need to be caring, compassionate and have a warm personality. As a mental health nurse the most important skill is the therapeutic relationship that you build with the patient and their family during the care process.

You need to be calm under pressure and be able to deal with difficult situations as and when they arise.

In return you will have job satisfaction and can earn £24,852 per annum as a newly qualified Band 5 nurse. There is also the opportunity to develop your career into management, consultant, executive, research or academic positions. All it takes is motivation and dedication.

 Want to know more?

If you are interested there will be an opportunity to visit wards in each borough within CNWL to give you an idea of the clinical environment and meet other mental health nurses. You will also be able to speak to people who have used our services about the support they have received and how it has benefitted them. For more information contact Kathy Swanzy-Asante on kathy.swanzy-asante@nhs.net.

 

How do I become a mental health nurse?

You must be at least 18 years old with 2 A-levels or equivalent to study for a nursing diploma or nursing degree at Thames Valley University (TVU).

NHS will pay tuition fees and you can apply for a bursary. To apply visit www.ucas.com

 

About TVU

Thames Valley University is the number one university for nursing in England. It is based at Paragon House, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 9GA. For further information about the degree in Mental Health Nursing contact: Ramona.minette@tvu.ac.uk