Mental Health Nurse Training Vs RGN Training?

[bR0Ken_H3arT]

Which is less physically demanding please - in terms of TRAINING, not the actual final Job Placement.

Are they realistically, identical roles in terms of muscle usage, standing, walking?. (I have a neuro muscular illness). Are the only real differences - the coursework modules?

I was hoping there are some differences in 'on the job' training of a mental health nurses Vs an RGN? E.g less walking up and down the ward, personal care, less time spent on ECG, catheterisation of patients - and more on observations of behaviour, rather than how to care for someone purely medically.

Any nurses opinions please?

I would love to be a RGN nurse, but my muscles are weak and I cannot stand up for long periods. As a patient, I see MHN tend to sit static and read for long periods, supervise the suicidal etc.

But the information online, looks like there is no difference in energy output (physical demands) of the training. I just wanted to check!

Thank you so much.

[Johnny Decca]

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!