Significance

• Mental health nurses care for patients who are suffering from mental illness or mental stress. Their patients may be affected with bipolar disorders, depression or even schizophrenia. The nurse works with many age groups, and their patients may be young children or adults. Their main responsibility is to help the patient cope with their disorder. They assist their patients in functioning productively by administering treatment in the form of counseling or medication.
  
  

Features

• A mental health nurse usually keeps a log of all therapy sessions with patients. The nurse may also organize group activities and encourage family involvement. They may also work with treatment facilities in developing treatment plans for patients.
  
  

Education

• Most employers require that the mental health nurse obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing. The nurse must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Those who have the desire to advance into management positions usually pursue a master's degree. In addition, training in a clinical setting will be required. Training is usually performed in a hospital setting under the supervision of a specialist in psychiatric health.
  
  

Skills

• The mental health nurse must be patient and caring since most of their patients are experiencing mental illness. The nurse must also love working with people. It is important that the nurse has good communication skills because they are providing counsel to their patients and they may also work with the patient's family. The nurse should also be organized and capable of developing treatments and therapy sessions for patients.
  
  

Warning

• Working with those suffering from mental illness may be stressful. In some cases, the nurse may be assigned to many patients at one time. Their work hours can be long and, at some facilities such as hospitals, may include overnight and weekend shifts.