[NihilisticMystics]

Heey, I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight? I'm very interested in the PGDip for Mental Health Nursing, but to get an idea of graduate employment (and because I have far too much time on my hands) I went on loads of job search websites with the general search term 'mental health nurse'. It stuck me that posts were pretty scarce, and that pretty much all that did exist either required you to have a background in standard nursing (i.e. all the physical health stuff) or to be an experienced nurse practioner. Which makes me worry about completing the diploma (and hopefully MSc) and not finding an entry-level position.
Would any recent or soon-to-be graduates attest to this? Or is it the case that employers often take on students from placements once they graduate? Basically I'm looking for an idea of how a first job in mental health nursing would be secured once a graduate is registered.

[angel_delight]

Hey I think it depends on where and what youre looking for. During your training you will get some 'general nursing' training and most posts state things as desirable but not essential.
Just now in certain areas like Scotland there are hardly any mh jobs but in London etc there is quite a few.
Also there are a lot of posts out with the NHS. I dont know what its like in England but prison services might be run by outside contractors. There are a fair few private hospitals such as the priory group. There is the mod, detention centres etc. Sometimes you just have to look outside the box.
Yeah there isnt rakes of jobs out there just now but in 3 years things might have changed a lot. If you really want to work in this area id go for it.

[moonkatt]

did you look on NHS jobs by any chance? There's a few on there.