Building a career in mental health nursing

By Anthony Irogue, mental health nursing student

I’m currently in my second year studying mental health nursing at the University of Nottingham. My passion for education and learning has led me to work as a support worker alongside studying, assisting individuals with mental health challenges.

This support worker role provides valuable experience that is beneficial for a nursing career, and it serves as the foundation to build my nursing career.

Why mental health nursing?

My journey really started when I was a support worker, helping individuals living with mental health challenges in their own homes. The experience has been nothing short of life changing. Working directly with patients has given me the foundation on which my nursing career is being built.

Support work is not just a job for me – it’s been a platform to learn, grow, and align my values with real-life patient care. It also helped me develop core skills such as communication, patience, and empathy. Over time, I have become motivated to do more than support – I realised that I wanted to treat and assess patients’ healthcare needs and to do this, I needed a degree in nursing.

My work experiences go beyond the UK. Back home in Italy, I supported my mother with her own healthcare needs. But I also worked as a translator and would often support people with mental health issues during therapy sessions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

These early responsibilities gave me insight into trauma, resilience, and the power of effective mental health care and what a difference I could make to society. All of this, combined with a need for job security and to have a meaningful and rewarding career, led me to pursue this mental health nursing degree.

Using experience to shape ambition

Currently, I work part-time as a support worker while studying. I assist patients’ healthcare appointments, support individuals in their daily routines, and observe how psychiatric professionals engage with patients. This includes witnessing assessments, CBT sessions, mental state examinations, and observing how care plans are developed.

These opportunities have given me valuable exposure and increased my motivation. I’ve developed de-escalation techniques, been able to practice emotional intelligence, and have learned to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations.

I’ve also been inspired by the structure of inpatient care. I hope to gain more experience in acute mental health wards before eventually transitioning to community care once I graduate. Being involved in the entire patient journey, from admission to discharge, will give me a broader understanding of how-to best support patients with long-term recovery.

Skills outside of the classroom

Being a support worker and doing other roles such as translation and being a nursing student has helped me develop more than just clinical knowledge. I’ve gained useful administrative and IT skills, like using Microsoft Office, creating presentations, and organising care notes efficiently. These skills support my academic work, and I know I’ll use these all the time once I’m a qualified mental health nurse.

Emotional intelligence

Importantly, I’ve also learned how to manage my own emotions. When hearing difficult stories – like a refugee’s journey across the Mediterranean – I’ve learned to balance empathy with professional distance. Emotional intelligence is essential in nursing, especially in mental health care. I’ve also learned how to manage my own emotions. When hearing difficult stories during my nursing placements, I’ve learned to balance empathy with professional distance. Emotional intelligence is essential in nursing, especially in mental health care.

Teamwork

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on this journey is the power of teamwork. There are situations where a patient may respond better to a different staff member, especially when taking medication or discussing sensitive issues. In those moments, it’s not about ego – it’s about doing what’s best for the patient. Working collaboratively ensures continuity of care and shared decision-making, which are at the heart of effective nursing.

Having supportive colleagues also helps manage the emotional demands of the job. When I’ve doubted myself or struggled mentally, my team has been there to reassure me: “You did the right thing.” That reassurance makes a big difference.

Balancing study, work and family

Balancing study, work, and family isn’t easy, especially as a mature student. But for me, this is my only chance to build the career I’ve always dreamed of, and that thought keeps me motivated. I use effective time management and planning to juggle responsibilities. My wife has been incredibly supportive, helping me make it work around our childcare requirements and our demanding shift patterns as support workers.

Sometimes my lectures and seminars run until 5 or 6 p.m., which creates logistical challenges. But with effective planning (both financial and personal) I’ve managed to stay on track.

Thinking of returning to study?

If you’re thinking of returning to study later in life, here’s my advice:

1. Plan everything. From your weekly schedule to your childcare and placement commitments.
2. Speak up early. If a lecture or seminar is too early and clashes with your childcare demands, make sure that you communicate with academic staff and placement assessors about your family responsibilities. I’ve found that most people are understanding and flexible.
3. Take time to plan your week. Returning to education is not easy, and it takes time to get into a routine. Every Sunday, take time to map out your responsibilities, even planning who is taking care of what at home.
4. Stay organised. Missed classes and overlapping shifts can be avoided with good communication and scheduling your week or term!

Returning to education isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. You have got to treat it as the serious opportunity that it is.

The future

After graduation, I hope to specialise in CBT nursing and continue supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. My journey so far has taught me that every experience, whether it’s been working in hospitality, admin, translation, or support work, has been added to my toolkit as a nurse.

My journey into mental health nursing is deeply personal and full of purpose. As a mature student, returning to education hasn’t been easy; it can be challenging as balancing study, work, and family life takes commitment. But this isn’t just a career move. It’s a second chance to follow a path I honestly believe in. I’m building a career with purpose by supporting others and making a lasting difference in their mental health journey.

If you’re a mature student and are considering your career options, book an appointment with Indy Bamra. Simply email Indy to sort out a date and time. We’re around all summer!