🌿A Day in the Life of a Mental Health Nurse at The Park

Did you know that we had a Mental Health Nurse at The Park? We interviewed Alan, our Mental Health Nurse, who told us more about the role and the part he plays in recovery at The Park

⭐ Can you describe your role

“My role as a Mental Health Nurse at The Park encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. I am involved in assessment, care planning, and reviewing care plans to ensure they remain up-to-date, meaningful, and centred around the individual. I also take responsibility for the administration of medication.

As shift lead, I manage my peers and junior workers and work closely with residents, using my ongoing daily nursing skills to observe their well-being, record observations, and highlight any issues that need to be discussed with the wider team.

Safeguarding is a key part of my role, ensuring concerns are highlighted within the correct chain of responsibility and passed to the relevant professionals. I ensure documentation is strong, care planning and risk assessment are robust, and that all documentation is reviewed regularly. It must always be client‑centred and free from unnecessary waffle or jargon that a resident would not understand. The client should always be involved and at the centre of their care.

With my long experience, I support junior staff when residents present with challenging behaviours. I liaise with emergency services when required. Keeping a level head is essential. I respond in a cool, calm manner to heightened residents and use talk‑down approaches when necessary.”

💬 How do you support service users to feel safe and build trust during their time at The Park?

“We work within a robust arena of GDPR, ensuring information is only shared with the relevant people. There must be recognised consent from the client for sharing information, and clients should understand that there may be times when information must be shared for safety, for themselves, staff, or the wider public, particularly during critical incidents.

I support residents by planning and reviewing care with them and involving them fully in the process. I use sensitive, client‑centred terminology that recognises each person’s individuality.

Where appropriate and agreed, I involve family or friends in their care. I maintain a can‑do, caring attitude, showing respect and empathy. I recognise individuals’ strengths and interests, involve them in conversations that reflect those interests, and share humour when appropriate and sensitive. A smile at work goes a long way.

I may share small personal experiences or interests, such as a programme, film, or type of music, when appropriate, while maintaining professional boundaries.

If I tell an individual I am going to do something, I follow it up or ensure someone else picks it up. Good communication within the professional team is essential.

I support individuals in professional meetings, helping them feel comfortable and at ease, especially when several people are involved. I also ensure we know where to signpost residents who require outside professionals, and I arrange transportation and support for attending meetings.

I discuss medication issues with individuals regularly and highlight any concerns to the mental health team or GP. I ensure smooth, pain‑free administration of depot medication and make sure medication is ordered and in stock.”

🌱 What’s one of the biggest changes you typically see in service users during their time at The Park?

“Many of our service users have long‑term chronic mental health diagnoses. A lack of enthusiasm or drive is common, sometimes due to medication, sometimes due to substance abuse, including alcohol, which can contribute to apathy.

Over my time at The Park, there have been occasions when police support has been lacking, which can have a profound impact on team members. At times, police have shown a lack of empathy or caring, although there have also been excellent, timely, and highly professional responses. We work with people, whether clients or professionals, who are human beings and can have bad days. It is our responsibility to respond in the most professional manner possible.”

🌟 What’s one thing you wish professionals considering placements at The Park knew about the role of Mental Health Nurses in supporting recovery?

“We are a multi‑professionally experienced team, including a full‑time OT, psychologist, manager, clinical lead, and well‑experienced support staff, as well as maintenance and chefs who help make life at The Park as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.

My role as a Mental Health Nurse is supported by 40 years of experience in general nursing, psychiatry, and learning disability services. I have been a CPN, a Community Mental Health Team Manager working with challenging complex care teams, and a clinical lead. I also have vast experience working with families in end‑of‑life care. As a nurse, I have developed skills that can never be taught in any university or school.

That’s just a small snapshot of what I see my contribution to be as a Registered Mental Health Nurse.”

Do you want to learn more about the Park or enquire about our referrals? Please email us at Referrals@maplescare.co.uk