Mental Health Nurse

Tasks & duties

Mental health nurses may do some or all of the following:

• help to identify their client's problems and make an initial mental health assessment
• consider the client's family history of mental health
• observe and report on the mental state of their clients
• help clients to manage their mental illnesses
• give clients advice and support, focusing on recovery
• administer prescribed medication to clients
• facilitate and co-ordinate therapy groups
• educate clients and their caregivers about early warning signs
• work within a multi-disciplinary team of health workers to treat clients
• help clients with self-care and other daily activities
• visit clients in the community
• work within the guidelines of the Mental Health Act
• liaise with community organisations, employers, government agencies, the police and lawyers
• support clients and families with mental health issues through rehabilitation

Specialisations

Mental health nurses may specialise in a particular area of mental health including:

• elderly
• family
• women
• alcohol and drug
• child and adolescent

They may also work in community psychiatric care, which includes Maori or Pasifika mental health or forensic mental health.

Mental health nurses may also work in crisis assessment or telephone triage, which involves assessing mental health needs and risks based on symptoms reported to them on the telephone.

Forensic mental health is a branch of mental health nursing involving:

• working with people diagnosed or suspected of having mental illnesses in courts and prisons
• working within the guidelines of the Criminal Justice Act
• supporting offenders with addiction problems

Skills & knowledge

Mental health nurses need to have:

• excellent nursing skills, and knowledge of different nursing methods and theories
• knowledge of psychiatric disorders, including the ability to nurse people with mental health problems
• knowledge of counselling and therapy techniques
• knowledge of how the human body works
• knowledge of different diseases and illnesses
• knowledge of medicines and treatments, and the effect these have on patients
• an understanding of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation
• oral and written communication skills, including good listening skills
• organisational skills
• decision-making ability

Mental health nurses also need to keep up to date with the latest medical trends and nursing practices in mental health.

Entry requirements

To become a mental health nurse you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. You also need to be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, and have a current Annual Practising Certificate.

Secondary education

At least four years of secondary education is required to enter tertiary training, although five years is preferred. Useful subjects include English, maths, chemistry and biology.

Training on the job

Many skills are gained on the job. Some employers may require mental health nurses to complete a one-year postgraduate diploma in mental health nursing or a Certificate in Forensic Psychiatric Care.

Useful experience

Useful experience for mental health nurses includes health-related work, social work, community support work or experience working in a rest home or nursing home.

Related courses

General Medicine
Hauora (Maori Health)
Nursing

For more information, please refer to Career Services.