A mental health nurse is a registered nurse who has completed additional training in order to work in the mental health field. He or she is responsible for the emotional and mental health of patients in addition to their physical well-being. Nurses who work in mental hospitals, clinics, and public hospitals that provide counseling or mental health services are known as mental health nurses. Depending on the type and size of the practice, some counselors or therapists may also hire a mental health nurse.
One of the most important roles of a mental health nurse is to provide emotional support and guidance to patients. She may spend more one-on-one time with patients than the doctor because she is often the first point of contact for new patients. In some cases, the mental health nurse will also be trained as a counselor, while in others, she will learn on the job how to care for the mentally ill. Although most nurses work with patients in a variety of ways regardless of training, each individual’s training will dictate the responsibilities she is allowed to take on.
A mental health nurse performs many of the same tasks as other nurses, including taking blood pressure, temperature, and vital signs. She may also assist in the dispensing of medication to hospital patients and ensuring that they are comfortable. In clinics, the nurse will frequently inquire about the patient’s condition. This includes any current or previous diagnoses, medications he or she is taking, and the symptoms he or she is having.
If the mental health nurse has additional counseling or therapy training, she may be able to assist the patient with their sessions. A counselor will frequently use non-medication techniques for a variety of ailments, while the doctor will prescribe medications as needed. The training required in addition to a typical associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing varies location, but it usually includes counseling or psychology courses.
Students can pursue a career as a mental health nurse enrolling in a two- or four-year program, which is usually followed a comprehensive exam on course material. Some areas may require additional mental health training, while others may require on-the-job training for whatever specialty a nurse chooses. Mental health nurses, particularly those working in hospitals, must be patient because most patients are under extreme stress or may exhibit strange behaviors as a result of a mental illness.