Making a Difference: Why Mental Health Nursing?

So, why Mental Health Nursing? I decided to go into mental health nursing specifically because I have an adopted brother who has autism. Although autism isn't a mental health diagnosis (it is a learning disability), it stemmed my interest into psychology and psychiatry. Mental health nursing has allowed me to apply my interest and knowledge in those subjects and to also care and support people. As a mental health nurse I am able to care for people, talk to their families and really make a difference to their lives.

I can’t believe how many pathways there are for mental health nurses. From specialising working with mothers and babies, where mothers have PTSD from childbirth, to forensics, where you get to take care of people within the criminal justice system. It is very inspiring when you meet different people on placement and you hear how they have got to where they are, and you realise there are so many pathways and routes to explore. Even now, I'm still learning about different and new job roles that studying mental health nursing can lead to!

My aspiration is to work within research and leadership, so becoming a research nurse, hopefully specialising in mental health. However, I also am looking into becoming an RAF nurse as I used to be part of the RAF cadets when I was in Sixth Form. I still have the passion for it, and I have found out that the university have an affiliated air squadron which I am thinking of applying to this year. A final option that I am considering, is based on my favourite placement experiences working in the deaf ward. I found this really enjoyable and something that not many people know much about, especially the link between deaf culture and mental health so I'm thinking about specialising in deaf culture as well.

I feel that the learning you get from lectures and tutorials helps you when you start to apply your skills and knowledge in placements, but actually seeing it in practice or applying it yourself in a professional setting, really does make a difference. When you are working as a student and you do something correctly and really make a difference to a patient, the feeling you get is amazing. You are thinking ‘wow, I can do this!’.

We start placements from first year, so nursing is one of those degrees where you have to be hands-on from the outset. You have to start your placement early and gain that experience, even if it's just observing at the start, it makes sure you are ready and prepared for the future. On placement I was very happy to just make a positive impact on someone's life. It was very fulfilling and rewarding. At the end of the day, that is what nursing is about, helping people in any little way you can!