Mental health nurse Professionalism

MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
PROFESSIONALISM
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2022
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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1
PRIORITISE PEOPLE...............................................................................................................................3
PROCESS TO EFECTIVELY PRIORITISE PATIENT (PEROPLE) CARE........................................................3
PRACTISE EFFECTIVELY..........................................................................................................................5
PROMOTE SAFETY.................................................................................................................................7
PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM AND TRUST..........................................................................................9
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................10
Reference............................................................................................................................................11
Introduction
As mental health has become a major issue in the United Kingdom and its environs, current
statistical analysis indicates that one in every six people will suffer from mental health or
mental illness, which necessitate the importance of considering the professionalism of a
mental health nurse or nurses in the United Kingdom.
The WHO defines mental health issues as “any mix of deviant ideas, feelings, behaviors and
connections with others” (WHO 2020) In comparison to mental wellbeing, which it defines
as "a state of well-being in which an individual recognizes his or her own abilities, is capable
of coping with normal life stresses, is capable of productive and fruitful work, and is able to
contribute to his or her community." (WHO 2005).
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Mental health nurses are the largest group of professionals working in mental health in the
UK (NHS 2017). Which also make them one the most rewarding profession, because, it’s a
highly respected career and there’s always a demand for professional and well trained MN,
cause It’s often demanding, challenging, stressful, and exhausting, but not boring (Scott et al.
2016).
As such
those
wishing to practise as mental health nurses must develop an understanding of the role in order
to practise effectively. Although mental health nursing has a different history from other
fields of nursing in the UK, having developed from the attendants role in asylums (Simpson,
2010) currently mental health nurses are trained alongside and register with the same bodies
as other fields of nursing (NMC, 2015). Although the appropriateness of this has been
questioned due to lack of specialisation and the complexity of mental health care (Bowers et
al. 2009) the role of the mental health nurse must therefore be considered within the wider
context of nursing.
As such, this paper will explore the role of a professional mental health nurse in health
services in the UK. The framework used for this will be the four Code of Conduct for nurses,
midwives and nursing associates (NMC 2018), the professional standards that a nurse must
uphold in order to practise as a nurse in the UK. These are:
 Prioritise People,
 Practise Effectively,
 Promote Safety” and
 Promote Trust.
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