Mental Health Nurse

[Careerchange1]

I’m thinking of a career change and considering mental health nursing. Would I be crazy to consider this in my mid to late forties? I have enough savings to cover living costs for the duration of the degree and as it’s nursing I can get a tuition fee loan despite already having a degree.

Anyone done this and has any advice?

Have you done mental health work before? If not I would probably try to get a support worker job first. Mental health nursing is very high stress at the moment (lack of investment means vacancies are often at the most acute distressing risky level and mental health services are so depleted that everyone’s exhausted) I would love to encourage people into mental health, and you’re not at all too old but just make sure you know what you’re getting into

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking about asking mental health services if I can do some voluntary work shadowing or similar to get some experience before taking the plunge. Would they likely allow this? How would I get a support worker job?

What interests you in MH nursing?

Apply for health care assistant/ support worker roles. It’s unlikely (in my trust anyway) that you would be able to volunteer.

I think it can be fairly traumatising. I got to know what seemed like about fifty of them when I was in hospital on section. Nearly all the ones I had were 60 plus. A few in their 50s. Only one who was quite young, 30 something.
So I think age wise you'd be in good company. Though I'd say it could be physically and mentally challenging in some cases. In others you just have to sit there staring at someone sleeping and try and keep yourself awake. So both stressful and boring? I deeply admire those that do it.

If I were you I would go the social worker route and become a mental health social worker. That way you will have the broader qualification if you don’t like mental health work and if you d then you could go the AMHP route.

I would like a job where I feel I am helping people. I considered counselling but there is no clear qualification that leads to a job so thinking about mental health nursing.

Do I need any previous experience or qualifications to apply for a health care assistant or support worker role?

Does this need a degree? I already have a degree and not sure I’d get the tuition fee loan for social work. I could pay fees out of my savings but that would eat into what I can live on whilst studying

For experience/qualifications to be a hca I’m not sure. Have a look at your trust website. Good luck!

MH nursing is very rewarding and diverse roles. But they’ll expect you to some background experience of what you’re going into.
I would look at either volunteering with a charity that supports people with MH problems, addictions, homelessness etc or else get a support worker role in that area. Do that for a few months and, if you’re still keen, apply for the nursing course

I am a mental health nurse and love my job! Yeah it can be stressful at times, but mostly enjoyable and rewarding.
I definitely do not think you’re too old, in fact I think having life experience can be beneficial 😊

I was speaking to a lovely mental health nurse recently - and she told me that there is such a rise in "behavioural problems" that can be exceptionally frustrating and thankless to give time and effort to. Particularly in the young.

Imho there is a very big difference between true mental health problems and behavioural problems. The first I imagine can be rewarding to help with. The latter - extremely draining.

I would get some experience first as a healthcare assistant if possible, just so you're sure you're going into it with your eyes open

I would second the SW option if it is financially viable.

Look at support worker charities in your local area or jobs in care. A family member is a support worker and she was previously a teacher. She visits people in their homes and basically enriches their lives. My dh also has a mental health support worker and I know he doesn't have a degree or any specific qualifications, just on the job training. He works for a local charity but is employed and paid by them.

Just a pointer, maybe don’t use terminology like “crazy” if you want to work in mental health, it’s rude and stigmatising.

Oh don't be so bloody wet! Its a turn of phrase! 🙄

Check the nhs jobs website for support worker or nursing assistant posts. It’s really quite hard to get meaningful volunteer roles in the NHS

I’m a mental health nurse. If you have no personal/professional experience of severe mental health it can be very distressing indeed. Mental health nurses do get hurt by patients and will have to restrain people who really don’t want to be restrained sometimes for extended periods of time. You will get shouted and sworn at, have things thrown at you and patients will make threats. People will try to hurt themselves in front of you and some will succeed no matter what you do. People will die.
On top of this, wards often have extremely long shifts (in my trust the shifts are 14.5 hours) and there’s an acute MH nurse shortage so we’re substantially understaffed. In terms of the degree, placements will chuck you in at the deep end and, to a certain extent, expect you to cope with extremely unwell people. The drop out rate on my degree was 60%.
Saying all that, I adore my job. I miss the ward when I’m not there and just feel so privileged to be with people, watch them recover and get to be a small part of their their stories. It’s the best job in the world if you know what to expect and I’d never do anything else. Just do your research first.

Have a look at degree apprenticeships - qualify whilst working.

I get that it might seem like just a turn of phrase, but words have power — especially in mental health settings. Using terms like ‘crazy’ can reinforce stigma, even if it’s unintentional. I’m not trying to be ‘wet’; I’m just advocating for a bit more sensitivity.

NHS jobs is where you need to head, and look for healthcare support worker roles in the MH sector. Get some hands on experience under your belt - and get paid for it - before you take the plunge and do the training. You could even get seconded by your NHS Trust to become a qualified nurse. Good luck whatever you decide.