mental health nurses-advice needed on interview please

[cheesesarnie]

dont know if its cheeky to ask here.............but ive got an interview next week for mental health nursing.
do you have any tips,pointers?any reading or current issues that may help me?
i posted in chat as well as didnt want to get in the way of posters needing advice so will request for this to be moved if it does.
thankyou

[modernlifeishubris]

Ooh I've no pointers sadly, but I'm hoping to have an interview for OT next week. I'll watch this and steal any general pointers you may get...

[cheesesarnie]

thanks!and goodluck to you!

[madmouse]

Not sure there are mental health nurses on here - well at least not willing to be identified as such. Now if you would start a thread about what people look for in a good MH nurse.....

By the way is it a job interview or an interview for a training place?

[cheesesarnie]

university place!
ive seen a few on here but cant think of names,like you said-might be hiding.

good idea!

[dottyspotty2]

Think there was a couple on the thread about the woman who'd been sectioned IIRC.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I've come out of hiding briefly

I did hide this topic from active convo's but well, you know how it is.....

It's been years and years since I did my uni interview so not sure I'd be much help, I'm trying to think.

When I did it, we had an individual interview, I think they asked about current mental health issues, as they were at the time, my skills, weaknesses usual stuff. Nowadays with the NHS undergoing massive changes and a shift away from in patient care, they may ask your views on that. What you see the role of a mental health nurse as. They may ask what you would do in certain situations. If someone wallops you one, 'I would wallop them back' would not be the correct answer

We then had a group task which was about something and nothing really, but I think they were assessing our group communication skills etc.

Good luck with it. Not an easy time to be training or qualifying I think. When I qualified I walked straight into a job, now we have newly qualified nurses working bank as they can't get jobs.

Mostly it's a great job though, very challenging but I've mostly enjoyed it. You do need a thick skin on here sometimes though. Hence why I hid the topic......

I hope that helps. You may get more luck in Chat actually.

[cheesesarnie]

thanlyou (both).
i did post in chat but got told to try here too
thanks for coming out of hiding for me!
what would you say were the most current issues?
wont mention walloping thenlol
it sounds silly but im not worrying about long term atm,im not expecting a job as soon as i qualify.im more looking into learning more and gaining experience etc.

im worried about my nerves on the day and that im going to get there, be asked one question and theyll wonder why they asked me to attend

thanks again!

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Oh dear, you're not having much luck are you. I'm sure there are a few more mental health nurses out there, can't remember any poster names though.

It will be fine. I can remember being terrified and actually went through the interview process twice. The first time was for Sheffield and got accepted but I met my now husband and decided not to move up there, so tried again down South and got in.

Any experience you have in mental health would be useful to talk about. Im guessing they want to know that you understand the patient group you would be working with.

They will be looking for motivated individuals with a commitment to learning and mental health, as well as a compassionate nature. Flexible working style as well, sometimes you are expect to be a team player, sometimes you're on your own.

I guess they will want to know why mental health over other branches of nursing.

If I can think of anything else I'll be back.

[HorribleDay]

When I'm interviewing (not sure where you are going for....!) given that we have 15 applicant for each place, I look for:

• caring, compassionate, non judgemetal
  
• having critical thinking skills about the issues relevant to diagnosis, treatment and things like service access
  
• knowledge of contemporary mental health policy - things like 'No Health without Mental Health' or anything on Recovery and Social Inclusion
  
• caring, compassionate and non judgemental (again)
  

HTH - good luck!

[cheesesarnie]

thankyou both!fantastically helpful!
horribleday...should i be scared of you !
15 for each place!thats me buggered!

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Golly, 15 for each place

I think back in the day when I qualified they would take anyone that showed an interest



Good luck with it cheesesarnie

[cheesesarnie]

haha,wish it were true now but kind of glad it isnt!

[HorribleDay]

Nooooo don't be scared, I'm a lovely interviewer (and terrifying assignment marker...!!!!)

[cheesesarnie]

in that case please be my interviewer!
i like the' terrifying assignment markers'...can't learn or improve without good honest guidance!

[HorribleDay]

:) good luck - let us know how you get on :)

[cheesesarnie]

thankyou

[tiredemma]

Im a Mental Health Nurse- I really cannot remember my interview (sorry) - I have just had a look at some of the other replies and would echo what others have said.
Good luck !

[cheesesarnie]

thanks tiredemma-i got a conditional offer!

[madmouse]

Well done on the conditional offer!

[cheesesarnie]

thanks madmouse!and thankyou for all your help!still in shock i think!just got to concentrate on getting the grades now!

[HorribleDay]

Fab - well done!