Mental Health Nurse
Work with patients to focus on their psychological and emotional health and wellbeing.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
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5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Mental Health Nurse?
- How to become a Mental Health Nurse
- Latest Mental Health Nurse jobs
- Top skills and experience for Mental Health Nurses
- Is Mental Health Nurse the right role for you?
- Mental Health Nurse role reviews
What's it like to be a Mental Health Nurse?
A Mental Health Nurse is a specialist nurse who predominantly focuses on psychological wellbeing and emotional health. Mental Health Nurses work with patients across various clinical, service and forensic settings, including hospitals, community health centres, inpatient care facilities and crisis intervention. Mental Health Nurses commonly provide support to patients who have conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Tasks and duties
- Providing medical and some psychological support to patients who have mental health issues or who are in distress to help them learn to manage their symptoms and understand their condition.
- Observing and assessing patients in order to provide information, education and care to individuals, their families and other health professionals.
- Advocating for patients in order to promote their rights, responsibilities and psychological wellbeing.
How to become a Mental Health Nurse
Those with an undergraduate degree in nursing can work in most mental health settings, however to practise as a specialist Mental Health Nurse, postgraduate qualifications are required.
- Ensure you are eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse in Australia. Complete a further qualification specialising in mental health or a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. Alternatively, complete a Master of Mental Health in nursing.
- Mental Health Nurses who want to progress their career can apply for advanced clinical positions (such as Clinical Nurse Consultant or Nurse Practitioner). There is also the option of working in education, research or management.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Mental Health Nurses.Latest Mental Health Nurse jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Mental Health Nurse jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Mental Health Nurse employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Mental Health
Mental Health Nursing
AHPRA Registration
Mental Health Care
Primary Mental Health
Forensic Mental Health
Nursing Services
Care Planning
Electronic Medical Record
Primary Health Care
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Mental Health Nurse reviews
Apr 2024
Thirty years experience and too many certificates
Reviewer's QualificationBachelor of Nursing Science
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationHealthcare & Medical
The good thingsThat it fits into my career. No matter where you work you will deal with trauma. Mental Health people are all over the hospital. They deal with pain and trauma and their mental health. It's very tough...
The challengesThat Im not recognised as a nurse that can work any ward.
Can deal with trauma and mental health.
I'm not recognised for past education and paid enough.
Because I am old I'm overlooked in employment
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Feb 2019
Nursing can be challenging and it sometimes pushes you to the edge but you're seldom bored.
Reviewer's QualificationBachelor of Nursing
Experience10+ years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationDetention Health
The good thingsOn a practical level, you'll never have to be afraid of being out of work. At times all you can do is just listen to someone or be just 'be' with them and that might not seem much. If it makes your pa...
The challengesIt very much depends on the area you work in. In my area supporting peopleI in an often seemingly hopeless situation can be very difficult.
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SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
