Mental Health Nursing

[*Princess*]

Hiya!  I recently asked a question about getting into nursing with a Psychology degree, well I've found a course at York Uni which only takes 2 years instead of 3, and to get on it you need a 2.1 in a 'health related' degree.  I am interested in Mental Health nursing as my degree fits with that as well as the fact I know I would enjoy it.  I was just wondering if anyone has trained or knows anyone who is a Mental Health Nurse?  I wanted to know if you'd be a RGN, as in you could work in any ward/do stitches etc as I'm not sure, or would you just be an RMN and only be allowed to work in certain wards or places.  Thank you for any advice!

[willow74]

This will tell you everything

http://www.rcn.org.uk/specialisms/mentalhealth.php

[willow74]

You will be a registered nurse but with a specialty in mental health. you dont have to stay as a mental health nurse for the rest of your career as you would still have the base rgn qualification allowing you to work in either renal, care of the elderly, diabetes or even theatres. 

[*Princess*]

Hi Willow!

Thanks for the quck reply that has really helped!  I appreciate it very much!

Thanks again!

[ursula62]

In the old days you  became a RMN (Registered Mental Nurse) rather than a SRN (State registered nurse). We had several psychology graduates and even a theology graduate on the accelerated nursing courses when I was a student years ago.

There were also a few RMNs who were doing a year's top up to become SRNs, so I think the course must be quite a bit different.  One chap had trained as a RMN at Broadmoor Prison.

[goldfish1]

If you trained as an RMN that would be your qualification and you could only work in areas related to mental health. If you wanted an RGN qualification you would require to undertake extra training. The RMN training will train you in some "general" procedures, it's quite common to have to remove stitches from someone admitted to an acute ward who has cut their wrists, for example.

Good luck - it can be a very rewarding job.