Perinatal Nursing & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatric Nursing or Mental Health Nursing

Psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing is the appointed position of a nurse that specializes in mental health, and cares for people of all ages experiencing mental illnesses or distress. These include: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, paranoia, and self-harm. Nurses in this area receive specific training in psychological therapies, building a therapeutic alliance, dealing with challenging behavior , and the administration of psychiatric medication. In most countries, a psychiatric nurse will have to attain a bachelor's degree in nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and specialize in mental health. Degrees vary in different countries, and are governed by country-specific regulations. Mental health nurses can work in a variety of services, including: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Acute Medical Units (AMUs), Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), and Community Mental Health Services (CMHS).