Some of the possible teams that RMNs work in within a community setting There is not really a typical day for community RMNs it will very much depend on the team and area of practice you work in. Other nurses will work independently as Advanced Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Nurse Specialists running nurse led clinics. Some community nurses will work as part of a team yet maintain the autonomy of managing the daily tasks. They will be assigned a case load of individuals to work with and provide either long-term or short-term work. In any of the possible community roles, nurses will have the responsibility and autonomy to manage their work load. The appeal of community nursing is the level of autonomy a nurse will have. The typical jobs a community nurse might do It is likely that agencies will provide RMNs for set time periods through block bookings as opposed to inpatient services which will use agencies on a more ad-hoc short-term basis. Nurses who work in the community will be employed predominantly by the NHS however some services may be run by local authorities, charities or educational institutions.Īs with any healthcare services agency nurses are used at times. There are mental health teams which work with children, adults, older people, the homeless population, offenders, or specific mental health issues like dementia, psychosis, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders and post-natal services. Mental health services which are delivered in the community are incredibly diverse. This article will explore the varied roles open to RMNs who want to work in the community and what education and training will help to support their career.Īs a RMN working in the NHS for the last 12 years I will reflect on my own experience of community mental health nursing. "The appeal of community nursing is the level of autonomy a nurse will have." - Laura Woods Mental Health Nurses have worked within the community for many years following the mass closure of psychiatric “asylums” in the 1970’s and 80s, however it is perhaps now more than ever that RMNs (Registered Mental Health Nurses) are provided with career opportunities and pathways which do not involve working in a hospital at all. The plan placed significant emphasis on community services with a focus on community mental health services being more responsive and accessible. It set out the mental health service provision at that time and made recommendations for all mental health services, the recommendations are to be implemented by 2021.
NHS England published the “Five Year Forward View” (NHSE 2016) in February 2016. Laura explains what working in the community as a mental health nurse is like