Research nursing career - adult or mental health?

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice. I am hoping to start a nursing course this year (3yr BSc mental health (prob without tons as that's another year) or 2yr MSc Adult). I have a BSc biomed and MRes in Neuroscience. Initially I was drawn MH because it's an area I'm so interested in and I liked that there could be scope to train in talking therapy. However, I've always enjoyed research and have been trying to look more into the role of a research nurse. I think my ideal career would combine both patient care and research, and I'm wondering if there'd be more scope for this within adult nursing, given the broad range of specialties. I've been told that adult nurses can also work within addictions, which is one of my main interests within mental health - so I'm starting to wonder if adult nursing would be the better choice for this sort of career path. I'm also not sure if doing the MH BSc without hons would be seen as not enough to get into research or if my background could make up for that?

Can anyone from either branch be able to tell me about their experience of the opportunities for research? Or any other advice?

I'm really struggling with this decision so any insights will be much appreciated!

Reply 1

Emily_B

Original post by NCG144

Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice. I am hoping to start a nursing course this year (3yr BSc mental health (prob without tons as that's another year) or 2yr MSc Adult). I have a BSc biomed and MRes in Neuroscience. Initially I was drawn MH because it's an area I'm so interested in and I liked that there could be scope to train in talking therapy. However, I've always enjoyed research and have been trying to look more into the role of a research nurse. I think my ideal career would combine both patient care and research, and I'm wondering if there'd be more scope for this within adult nursing, given the broad range of specialties. I've been told that adult nurses can also work within addictions, which is one of my main interests within mental health - so I'm starting to wonder if adult nursing would be the better choice for this sort of career path. I'm also not sure if doing the MH BSc without hons would be seen as not enough to get into research or if my background could make up for that?
Can anyone from either branch be able to tell me about their experience of the opportunities for research? Or any other advice?
I'm really struggling with this decision so any insights will be much appreciated!

Registered (adult) nurse here.
If you want to work in mental health, please don't do adult nursing - the main aim of adult nursing is physical health. Placements as a student adult nurse will predominantly, if not all, be within the adult physical health field; same said for student mental health nurses having placements in mental health field. Yes, there's a broad range of specialities within physical health but there also is within mental health.

Current research vacancies can be found here: NHSJobs.com: Nursing Services: Research vacancies | trac.jobs - note that each one has essential/desiarable qualifications attached to the info.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 2

NCG144

Thank you for your reply Emily_B! I think part of the problem is I'm interested in both physical and mental health and could see myself enjoying areas of both (of course I know I won't really know until I get started and have some experience). Do you have any insight into research within nursing please? Thanks again

Reply 3

normaw

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by NCG144

Just tagging @Emily_B so that she sees your question. :smile:

Reply 4

Emily_B

Original post by NCG144

I'm a (surgical) ward nurse whose only experience of research nursing is having met one for 5 minutes, just before the start of the pandemic so can't really help much there.

Reply 5

WoahWoah123

Hello I'm a HCA! Going to start mental health nursing next month!

There are roles within mental health that have a good bit of both mental and physical health, I personally work in older adult mental health (dementia specifically) and there is a good mix there!

Are you able to apply for the NHS bank? Maybe you could try doing some shifts in both fields and see which you enjoy more.