Typical duties of a Mental Health Nurse include:
- Assess and talk to patients about their problems and discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care
- Build relationships with patients to encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns
- Ensure the correct administration of medication, including injections, and monitor the results of treatment
- Respond to distressed patients in a non-threatening manner and attempt to understand the source of their discomfort
- Help patients manage their emotions through de-escalation techniques
- Prepare and participate in group and/or one-to-one therapy sessions, both individually and with other health professionals
- Provide evidence-based individual therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety
- Organise social events aimed at developing patients' social skills and help to reduce their feelings of isolation
- Prepare and maintain patient records and produce care plans and risk assessments
- Make sure that the legal requirements appropriate to a particular setting or group of patients are observed
- Work with patients' families and carers, to help to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems.
If you work in the community, you may also need to:
- Bisit patients in their home to monitor progress and carry out risk assessments with regard to their safety and welfare
- Liaise with patients, relatives and fellow professionals in the community treatment team and attend regular meetings to review and monitor patients' care plans
- Identify whether/when patients are at risk of harming themselves or others.