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I worked as a mental health nurse for 16 years and also qualified as an RGN.
As other people have already said RGN work is very physically demanding for sure. But although RMN work may appear less physically demanding you still have to take into consideration a few factors.
Firstly, working with elderly people with mental illness can be as physically demanding as general nursing and you would have to do this as part of your training even if you don't want to specialise and some trusts 'rotate' staff nurses through different wards.
Secondly, as an RMN you need to be able to do 'control and restraint', or at the very least have 'breakaway' skills - it isn't all about handing out medication and talking to people. Violence does sometimes occur and YOU need to be able to deal with it. If you cannot defend yourself, you will be a strain on the rest of the team and putting yourself at risk.
You need to discuss this with the college you are thinking of applying to. I personally feel that RMN work is more physically demanding than it appears - you may want to consider other options depending on your level of education.
Good luck!
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