Masters degrees in Mental Health Nursing help postgraduates develop the skills to deliver vital therapeutic care for people with mental health needs. These courses are usually available in the form of MScs, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas / Postgraduate Certificates.
Related specialisms include Global Mental Health and Clinical Mental Health Sciences. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Nursing or Psychology.
Nurses who specialise in Mental Health will be responsible for supporting a range of patients, suffering from symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychosis, along with people who have dementia or learning difficulties.
Mental health nurses may be placed within a range of health and social care contexts, including counselling services within community settings such as schools, as well as clinical settings such as hospitals and health centres.
Training typically includes evidence-based practice, combining approaches in policy research, courses of treatment, and individual patient assessment. Placements within a healthcare setting are usually a key component of most courses.
As well as the roles mentioned above, mental health nurses may also be involved with home visits, helping patients within nursing homes, or working alongside the social services in children’s homes. Other careers may include roles within rehabilitation programmes and correction institutions.
