Mental health nurse

To find out more about the exciting and varied career of a mental health nurse, watch this short video produced in collaboration with staff at Leicestershire Partnership Trust.

A mental health nurse or psychiatric nurse is a type of nurse who specialises in identifying and treating people with mental illness. They work in a vast array of roles and can be found working in lots of different settings such as out in the community, in hospitals, prisons and schools.

As a mental health nurse, you will be required to build positive relationships with your patients so you can support them with taking their medication, advising them about relevant therapies or encouraging involvement in social activities. You may also be required to carry out assessments, such as home assessments, to make sure their home is safe.

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After watching the video, was there anything that surprised you about the role of a mental health nurse? Write your thoughts in the comments area. Remember not to reveal any sensitive information and always follow the FutureLearn Code of Conduct.

Did you know?

Once you have qualified as a mental health nurse, you can take additional training, which allows you to deliver different therapies to patients. For example, many mental health nurses train in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is a type of talk therapy often used to treat depression.