You would care for people with mental health problems. You’d help them recover from their illness or adapt to their condition. You’d help them get the support they need.

Patients and their families could be struggling with very difficult and distressing emotions and situations. You’d build up a trusting relationship with the person and their family to support their recovery.

You would support people with a range of mental health issues such as:

• anxiety

• depression

• stress-related illnesses

• personality disorders

• eating disorders

• drug and alcohol addiction

You could work in hospitals or in the community. You might help a variety of patients, or work with a particular group like teenagers. You might work with offenders in a secure unit or special hospital.

You would:

• assess each person and their situation

• listen to them sympathetically and non-judgementally

• support your patient and encourage them to follow treatment plans

• encourage them to take part in role play, art, drama and discussion as therapies

• provide physical care, if a person is too old or ill to look after themselves

• give medication

You could also help a patient deal with social workers, the police, relevant charities, local government and housing officials.

You would work closely with support workers, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and health visitors.

You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the mental health nurse page on the NHS Careers website.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council – details of the standards for nursing training set by the NMC

• NHS Education for Scotland – Training for the healthcare workforce including higher education and professional development

• Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme