Mental Health Nurses work in hospitals and the community, to support people across the age rage with a range of mental health issues, including: anxiety, depression, stress-related illnesses, personality disorders, eating disorders, and drug and alcohol addiction. Learning Disability nurses work in similar settings to support those with a Learning disability or Developmental Disorders including disorders on the Autism Spectrum. In order to practice in the UK, the nurse must be registered under the appropriate part with the UK Nursing & Midwifery Council’s register (Registered Mental Nurse RMN or Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities RNLD) and hold a valid PIN.

In hospital settings, RMN’s and RNLD’s work within:

• Psychiatric Intensive Care Units
• Specialised Disorder Specific Wards or Service Units
• General Psychiatric Wards
• Outpatients Units

In the community RMN’s and RNLD’s work within:

• GP Surgeries
• Prisons
• Community Health Care Centres
• Residential Centres
• Patients’ Own Homes

Mental Health and Learning Disability nurses work as part of a team which includes General Practitioners, Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Arts Therapists and Healthcare Assistants, their main duties include:

• Assessing and supporting the medical treatment and therapeutic care of patients
• Giving medication
• Physical care, if the patient is too old or ill to look after themselves.
• Encouraging patients to take part in role play, art, drama and discussion as therapies
• Liaising with other health services, social workers, the police, relevant charities, local government or housing officials.