How to Become a Mental Health Nurse in the UK
Mental health nurses assess, plan and deliver care for people with mental illness, from depression and anxiety to psychosis, eating disorders and dementia. You might work on an inpatient ward, in a community mental health team, crisis service, prison, school or forensic unit, giving medication, assessing risk and building therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Mental health nursing is a regulated profession. To practise as a registered nurse you must complete an approved mental health nursing programme and join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £31,049 (Band 5)
- Mid-career salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 (Band 6)
- Senior salary
- £47,810 - £62,682 (Band 7-8)
- Work environment
- Wards, community, prisons, schools
- Time to entry
- 3 - 4 years (BSc Mental Health Nursing) or nursing apprenticeship
- Degree required
- Regulated - NMC registration required
- Category
- Mental Health and Therapy
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers, Career change.
What a Mental Health Nurse does
Specialist nursing role focused on assessing, planning and delivering care for people with mental illness.
- Community Mental Health Nurse - Care for people in their homes via Community Mental Health Teams.
- CAMHS Nurse - Work in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
- Forensic Mental Health Nurse - Work in secure units and the justice system.
How to become a mental health nurse in the UK
The usual route is an NMC-approved BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing, which takes three years full-time in most of the UK and can take four in Scotland. Graduates in a relevant subject can take a shorter postgraduate pre-registration course, usually about two years. You can also earn while you train through the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, or qualify as a nursing associate first and then top up to registered nurse. Eligible students in England can get at least £5,000 a year from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Once qualified you register with the NMC and revalidate every three years.
- Get relevant experience as a healthcare assistant, mental health support worker or volunteer, which strengthens nursing applications and tests your fit for the work.
- Check entry requirements for NMC-approved mental health nursing degrees, which commonly ask for two or three A levels or equivalent plus GCSE English and maths.
- Apply through UCAS for a BSc in Mental Health Nursing, or ask your NHS employer about the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship or nursing associate route.
- If you study in England, apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund, which gives eligible nursing students at least £5,000 a year.
- Complete clinical placements across wards and community teams, and use them to work out which settings you want to apply to.
- Register with the NMC when you qualify, then apply for Band 5 newly qualified nurse posts, many of which include a preceptorship programme.
- Specialise later in areas such as CAMHS, forensic, crisis or community mental health nursing, or train as a non-medical prescriber.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing | 3 years (can be 4 in Scotland) | Tuition fee loan in England; funding differs by nation | School leavers and career changers |
| Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship | Up to about 4 years | Paid by the employer | Healthcare staff who want to earn while training |
| Postgraduate pre-registration nursing | Usually about 2 years | Postgraduate fees; funding varies | Graduates in a relevant subject |
| Nursing associate, then top-up | 2 years + about 2 years | Usually employer-funded | Support workers progressing step by step |
How long it takes
Expect three to four years to qualify through a mental health nursing degree or apprenticeship, or about two years through a postgraduate route if you already have a relevant degree. You can work as a healthcare assistant or mental health support worker while you apply.
Mental Health Nurse salary in the UK
Newly qualified mental health nurses in the NHS start on Band 5, from £31,049. Band 6 roles, such as experienced community or specialist nurses, pay £38,682 to £46,580, and Band 7 to 8 roles, such as advanced practitioners, team leaders and ward managers, pay £47,810 to £62,682. NHS Agenda for Change rates are usually updated each year, so check the current pay scale. Unsocial hours payments and high cost area supplements in and around London add to basic pay.
Key skills
- Clinical assessment
- Risk assessment
- Resilience
- Therapeutic communication
Mental Health Nurse FAQs
How do I become a mental health nurse in the UK?
Complete an NMC-approved mental health nursing programme, usually a three-year BSc, a two-year postgraduate course or the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, then register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Experience as a healthcare assistant or support worker strengthens your application.
Can I become a mental health nurse without a degree?
Not as a registered nurse: you need an NMC-approved degree-level programme. You can, however, earn while you train through the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, or start as a nursing associate or mental health support worker and progress from there.
How much does a mental health nurse earn in the UK?
Newly qualified NHS nurses start on Band 5, from £31,049. Band 6 roles pay £38,682 to £46,580, and Band 7 to 8 roles pay £47,810 to £62,682. NHS rates are usually updated each year, and unsocial hours and London supplements add to pay.
Is mental health nursing different from adult nursing?
Yes. You choose your field when you apply, and mental health nursing focuses on mental illness, risk, therapeutic relationships and mental health law rather than mainly physical care. You still learn core physical health skills, and some universities offer dual-field degrees.
Is Mental Health Nurse right for you?
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Not sure mental health nurse is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.