Personal Statement:Mental Health Nursing Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

In the 21st century there is still a great deal of stigmatisation towards the one in four people with a mental health diagnosis. A career in mental health nursing would enable me to advocate on behalf of patients who face this stigmatisation, as well as support those who are at their most vulnerable in society to live as full a life as possible. As a mental health nurse I believe that it is important to be both empathic and eager to learn. Continual reflection on your personal practice, and understanding of the needs of others is essential, as well as treating patients without prejudice regardless of circumstance is vital.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Through my present course of study, I have gained many transferable skills which I can continue to improve whilst training as a mental health nurse. These include the ability to effectively communicate therapeutically with service users using methods such active listening and observing the body language of a patient in order to build trust and rapport with a patient. I have also begun to develop my skills of reflection aiding the continual improvement of my theoretical knowledge as well as the improvement of my clinical skills. From my current course I have gained a basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and psychology. I feel that with this basic knowledge and the various transferable skills that I have gained, I have a strong basis to begin training as a mental health nurse and meet the standards necessary to study nursing at university level.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

In May, I undertook a one hundred hour placement in a supported living setting which was home for many service users with diagnoses of schizophrenia amongst other mental health diagnoses. This experience allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge of the experiences that mental health patients have in their everyday lives as part of their local community. Throughout this experience I gained an understanding of person centred care which helped me to understand that by involving a service users in their recovery plans at every step this greatly improves chances of a successful recovery. This experience allowed me to gain a basic knowledge of the importance of following policies in mental health care such as; ensuring medication is given correctly as well as understanding and working with confidentiality policies.

In order to gain an insight into the current debates and issues in mental health care I decided to conduct some personal research to ensure that I have an up to date knowledge on current events in regards to mental health care. From this research I came across the recent No Health Without Mental Health guidelines, published in 2011 by the department of health. From these guidelines I have understood the importance of mental health nurses communicating effectively through multi-disciplinary teams and the need to ensure that a patient's health is looked at as a whole; by considering both a patients physical and mental health together, as research shows that those with mental health diagnoses have a higher risk of having problems with their physical health than those without.

Outside of my time studying I enjoy visiting my local gym and taking part in exercise classes as well as taking part in annual sponsored runs. I have also taken part in various volunteering activities in recent years including volunteering at a local charity shop throughout my GCSE and AS level years and as a peer mentor for younger pupils in my final year of secondary school. After gaining registration as a mental health nurse I hope to work in the community; visiting patients' homes and helping them throughout the recovery process in their local community. I am confident that with my past work experience, personal knowledge and skills as well as my determination to provide the best person centred care and support possible, that I have the passion necessary to study mental health nursing and be as successful as possible in helping those with mental health diagnoses.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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