Debra Said:

With the current economic climate,is there more stability in a career as a mental health nurse or RE teacher?

We Answered:

I would say the mental health nurse as at least you could specialise and then continue to develop yourself in the future. Of course you could also continue with your career development if you were an RE teacher but the usual route for that would be deputy head, head etc. One thing i would suggest you remember is that both careers will be challenging but at least with the mental health nurse one you'll only have the patients to deal with, where as being a teacher you'll have to deal not only with difficult children but also their parents!

I can understand your worries about the current economic climate, but really think you should look fully into both professions and go with which one you feel comfortable with. Both are respected careers. Best of luck

Armando Said:

Help with mental health nursing career? (Broadmoor)?

We Answered:

It depends who nurses are employed under ie NHS or HMP. Nursing times may have jobs advertised either way.

Even if there are no vacancies right now, you could contact the RNs already working there and ask to meet one of them to discuss their work etc with a view to applying for a future vacancy. I did this as a newly qualified OT and got a job 1st time applying. Apparently it helped that I visited as it shows you are keen.

Good luck!

Freddie Said:

Mental Health Nursing advice?

We Answered:

From what I have seen as an inpatient, the Mental Health Nurse is busy handing out medications when they are due. The nurse also makes sure any lab work gets done. Anyone that needs to be treated for a wound, the nurse will change the dressing when needed. The nurse has a lot of patient contact if this is something you enjoy. Best Wishes for your future.

Edna Said:

Is there more stability and job opportunities in a career as a mental health nurse or an R.E teacher?

We Answered:

Not much in either these days - go for whichever appeals more as a career

Wesley Said:

What do pharmacy technicians get paid? Thinking of a change of career from mental health nursing!?

We Answered:

I started in a retail pharmacy at $8.50/hour, and it took so much fighting to get raises that I was supposed to be given. After working for almost 2 1/2 years, I was finally making $10.00/hour.

The pay will be depend on where you work-hospitals pay the best, but 99% of the time, you need to be nationally certified to work in a hospital. Private pharmacies may pay a decent amount, but your benefits might not be that good. Retail pharmacies vary so much depending on which one you choose, but you can get fairly decent benefits.

If you don't want weekends, I would suggest a hospital. Going into any public setting, the last person hired gets the bad shifts!

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Natalie Said:

Mental health nursing as a career?

We Answered:

I've almost completed my first year and loving it. The course is 50% theory and 50% practical. The first year is a common foundation programme so whilst your placements are mental health you do all your theory with the other nursing branches.

A few of the modules are: life sciences - basic human biology. Context of care, children, maternity, mental health and learning disabilities. You learn drug calculations, principles of nursing, such as ethics. You also do skills sessions learning moving and handling, basic life support, infection control.

Your placements will be all mental health, working 37.5 hours a week. I'm currently on my second placement (you do 6 over the 3 years) and so far my mentors have been brilliant. My first placement was elderly, functional acute - alot of personal care involved, close working with social workers and OT. Most of the patients were suffering depression but not all. They were all lovely, they really appreciate your company.

My current placement is a medium secure forensic unit. The patients can be very challenging - pushing boundaries and aggressive, but it is very rewarding and very unpridictable so your never bored.

On placement you get to do a number of things, dispensing drugs, attending ward rounds and writting the reviews. Note taking, blood pressures, sugar levels, weighing the patients. Attending and writting CPA's. Where i am at the moment i have the opporunity to go to court with the patients if they have a trial. Running a shift. Obviously this is all with supervision. You also get the opportunity to work with other professions to see things from their role. Such as OT, community nurses, early intervention teams, psychiatrists, psychologists. Some things are more specific for the area your working in, for example when working with the elderly i went to a memory clinic and a leg ulcer clinic.

I hope you enjoy the course and your chosen career, it is demanding but it is the most rewarding thing i've ever done.