Melvyn Sneyd works as a Community Mental Health Nurse in Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MPFT) Dementia Assessment & Support Service.

In this article, Melvyn talks about what his role involves, his experience, and advice for those interested in a career within mental health nursing.

“My journey into this career was accidental. I fancied a change from what I was doing, so I took a job at an agency as a Support Team Assistant which involved doing domestic duties within the wards. From that, it progressed in to me wanting to develop into the nursing side of the role, so I started on the bank as a Healthcare Support Worker and practitioner; this progressed into a full time role. I then undertook further training and qualified in 2012 as a Mental Health Nurse.

“A typical morning for our team involves an allocation meeting where we discuss any new referrals into the service, any complex cases, and how we manage and support people and their families.

“The most rewarding part of the role is seeing patients who are presenting with challenging behaviours becoming more settled, which in turn also provides a great deal of comfort for the families. It’s nice to see that journey, and how supporting that person changes their situation.

“I’d say to anyone considering a career in mental health nursing, go for it! Once you’ve qualified and got experience, there’s a lot of opportunities out there, especially within community mental health.

“MPFT is a great place to work because all the teams and staff are really supportive and knowledgeable. There is always somebody you could ask for support and advice. This particular role gives a great deal of flexibility, whether that be working from an office or from home, and it also offers a flexible working pattern, with lots of training opportunities for career development.”