So you have decided to become a mental health nurse. There are some things you need to know when it comes to mental health nursing as a career.
Mental health nursing is the most formidable as well as rewarding career. This kind of profession requires skills and intense training. It's not your average hospital nurse.
Being a mental health nurse means it's all about the relationship with the patients. You need the necessary qualifications to become equipped and it starts with the basic nursing degree course. When you move to mental health nursing, it is intense and every year the training and clinical studies change to alter experiences and courses of action. The key to become a well equipped mental health nurse is to always be up to date with the skills and knowledge required in the profession.
Claire Murdoch started her career as a registered health nurse. She is now chairwoman of Cavendish Square Group. An organization responsible for mental health services in London. She describes the job as a mental health nurse as demanding but for the right person "the opportunities are almost limitless."
Stereotypes for mental health range from hospital wards to straight jackets for mentally ill patients. People should know that this is just one aspect of the career. Being a mental health nurse covers even new mothers, children's services and eating disorders. There are patients who are depressed and developing dementia that are being cared for by mental health nurses. The spectrum for this career is broad and can include community-based work, nursing consultants and even prisons.
Murdoch knows that this kind of career is challenging especially in such a complex field but she stresses that the advantages are multiple because you are working in people-care.
She claims that the biggest single challenge in the future is recruiting more mental health nurses: "You cannot provide high-quality care without qualified, dedicated staff," she exclaims.
Do you want to pursue a career in mental health nursing?
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