Registered nurses who work in the field of mental health may practice at one of two levels. One of the key factors contributing to the lack of mental health services is the demand for skilled mental health nurses. Academic entry requirements for mental health nursing degrees are set by individual universities . Your working environment may be emotionally demanding. As a mental healthcare nurse, you would provide specialised care such as councelling, to help patients deal with a mental health condition. You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in healthcare, or with a charity that offers mental health services, before you apply for nurse training. You may be able to qualify through an 18-month mental health nursing conversion course if you're already a registered nurse in a different branch. Complete a further qualification specialising in mental health or a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. Enrolled nurses (EN), may also choose to be employed within a mental health workplace and are eligible to enrol in an Advanced Diploma of Nursing – most of which do not require experience to be admitted. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mental Health Nurses who want to progress their career can apply for advanced clinical positions (such as Clinical Nurse Consultant or Nurse Practitioner). As foreseen by the Department of Health, Australia will have 40 per cent fewer mental health nurses than it needs by 2030. four or five5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), and college qualifications like A levels for a degree apprenticeship. A mental health nurse focuses on proving special healthcare to a patient who suffers from mental health problems, such as: A mental health nurse has a set of specific skills obtained through study that enable them to provide physical and mental healthcare. Mental health nurses work in hospitals and communities, to support people with mental health issues. You must be supported by your employer to take this route. They work alongside other healthcare experts, such as doctors, psychologists and therapists to promote optimal mental and physical health, prevent mental and physical illness and provide treatment according to the needs and preferences of the patient. Certification in this specialty demonstrates that the nurse is highly competent in caring for patients needing mental health services, and are experts in the field. Find out your options and start planning your next steps, All the information you need to take your education to the next level, Not sure if uni or college is for you? One in five Australians will suffer from a mental health condition each year and one in two will suffer from a mental health condition in their lifetime. There is also the option of working in education, research or management. You'll need to speak to your employer if you want to do this. Being a mental health nurse like other nursing roles can also be emotionally exhausting. Listening to their stories and spotting nuances are key parts in helping the patients confront their issues and in providing them with a tailored treatment since no two mental health conditions are the same. Empathy is a key part of being a mental health nurse. Certification also serves as a professional accomplishment for nurses. With further study and experience, you could become an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or nurse consultant. You’ll often be based in a clinic, GP's surgery or hospital setting – although some roles are remotely based. The apprenticeship takes around four years, and is a mix of academic study and on-the-job training. You'll need to pass enhanced background checks. You may be able to do a degree apprenticeship in nursing if you work in a healthcare setting like a hospital. A mental health nurse’s role varies a lot from a generalist nurse. Mental health nursing requires regular one-on-one interaction with the patient. Some degree courses let you study another area of nursing alongside mental health nursing. If you have an undergraduate degree in nursing or are a registered nurse (RN) you are eligible to work within a mental health setting. If you are considering pursuing a nursing career, specialising in mental health nursing promises a rewarding career in a desired field.