What do you have to study (and for how long) to become a mental health nurse?

Question

And can you only work in hospitals?

Answer 1

I'm due to start a post-graduate course in january which is 2 years long and leaves me a qualified mental health nurse.

If this is your first degree, chances are you'd have to do a 3 year course in order to become qualified. There are courses in general nursing which can give you access to mental health nursing, but you are better going for a mental health nursing course as sometimes you would need to do extra courses following general nursing.

And no, you don't have to work in a hospital, there are a number of different places you can get employment, from care homes to drug-rehab projects.

HTH

Answer 2

Hi, as far as I know there's the nurse school which is separate from all the medicine colleges and it lasts 2 years generally. However, you can find more details here: http://www.myhealth-forum.com/

Answer 3

You can go to a 2, 3 or 4 year nursing program, get your RN and then apply for a job in a psychiatric unit or hospital.  If you are more interested in counselling, you would probably be better off getting a Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology, you could work in a hospital, clinic or set up your own private practice.