Mental health nurse (RMN) jobs in social care
Registered mental health nurses (RMNs) care for people whose mental health needs are complex or long-term. In social care, that means nursing homes, specialist care homes and services for people leaving hospital.
We recruit RMNs for these services and check every nurse’s NMC registration in mental health nursing before they are introduced or supplied.
The mental health nurse role at a glance
- Duties
- Mental and physical health assessments, care plans, medicines including depot injections, risk assessment, de-escalation, and leading the care team.
- Shifts
- Long days and nights, with earlies and lates in some services.
- Checks
- NMC register entry in mental health nursing, PIN, expiry and conditions; the adults’ criminal record check; references from recent mental health nursing.
- Pay basis
- Hourly for temporary cover, salaried for permanent posts.
- Qualifications
- Current NMC registration as a registered nurse in mental health nursing.
What an RMN does in social care
In a nursing home or specialist care home, an RMN looks after people living with long-term mental illness, dementia with complex needs, or both. The work combines physical nursing with calm, skilled support when someone is distressed.
RMNs lead the care team on shift, assess risk, manage medicines and work closely with community mental health teams, psychiatrists and families.
RMN registration and agency rules in each nation
Every RMN must be on the NMC register and revalidate every three years. The rules on temporary nurse supply differ between the nations:
- England
- Supplying registered nurses to another provider is not a CQC-regulated activity.
- Scotland
- Nurse agencies must register with the Care Inspectorate.
- Wales
- There is no separate registration for nurse agencies.
- Northern Ireland
- Nursing agencies must register with RQIA.
Checks we run for mental health nurses
Before we introduce or supply an RMN, we check:
- the NMC register entry for mental health nursing, with the PIN, expiry date and any conditions
- the revalidation date
- identity and right to work in the UK
- an enhanced DBS check with the adults’ barred list in England and Wales, PVG membership in Scotland, or an enhanced AccessNI check in Northern Ireland
- references from recent mental health nursing, and training in de-escalation and breakaway
Shifts RMNs usually cover
Services with RMNs on the rota usually need a nurse around the clock, most often on long days and nights.
- Long day to
- Waking night or to or
- Early to or
- Late to
How RMN pay is set
Temporary RMNs are paid by the hour at rates agreed for each shift type before you accept. Permanent posts are salaried.
The National Living Wage, £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026 according to GOV.UK, is the floor for every worker. RMN rates are set well above it.
Where RMNs work in social care
RMNs work in mental health services and in nursing homes that support people with mental health needs or complex dementia.
- Mental health services Care homes, supported accommodation and community support for people with mental health needs.
- Nursing homes Care homes that provide nursing care, with registered nurses on the rota day and night.
- Learning disability and autism Support for autistic people and people with a learning disability, in any setting.
Questions about RMN work in social care
Is social care work very different from NHS mental health nursing?
The clinical skills are the same, but the pace is different. You get to know residents over months and years, and you lead the shift with less on-site medical support.
Can you place RMNs in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Permanent posts, yes. Temporary nurse supply there must go through a registered nurse agency, so we will be clear about what we can offer before you apply.
Register for RMN work
Send us your details with your NMC PIN, or phone the office.