Staff Direct – Agency Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) Jobs in Nottingham — High-Demand Shifts in Acute Wards, PICU, Crisis Support and Community Teams

Location: Nottingham & Nottinghamshire (City Hospital, QMC, Highbury, and Community Hubs)
Job Type: Agency / Temporary / Flexible Long-Term Placements
Salary: £32.00 – £55.00 per hour (Enhanced rates for nights, weekends, and Bank Holidays)
Start Date: Immediate (Pending Compliance and DBS Verification)
You Are the Calm in the Storm: Nottingham Needs Your Expertise
Mental health nursing isn't just a career; it’s a calling that requires a unique blend of clinical precision and profound empathy. In a city as vibrant and diverse as Nottingham, the demand for high-quality mental health support has never been greater. From the historic streets of the Lace Market to the busy corridors of the Queen’s Medical Centre, the need for skilled Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMNs) is at an all-time high.
At Staff Direct, we recognize that you are the backbone of the psychiatric care system. Whether you are de-escalating a high-pressure situation in a PICU or providing a listening ear in a community setting, your work saves lives.
We are currently recruiting for Agency RMN Jobs in Nottingham to cover high-intensity shifts across some of the most respected trusts and private facilities in the East Midlands. If you are looking for a role that offers the flexibility of agency life with the clinical depth of a permanent position, you’ve arrived at the right destination.
Why Nottingham is a Hub for Mental Health Excellence
Nottingham is home to pioneering mental health services. With a mix of major NHS Trust sites and innovative private healthcare providers, the city offers a "clinical playground" for RMNs who want to broaden their horizons.
- Acute Care: Fast-paced environments where stabilization is the priority.
- Specialist Services: Including eating disorders, personality disorders, and forensic psychiatry.
- Innovation: Nottingham often leads the way in community-based crisis intervention.
- Register as an RMN with Staff Direct – Start your journey with an agency that understands the nuances of mental health care.
The Roles: Where Can You Make the Most Impact?
One of the best things about working with Staff Direct is the variety of settings available. We don't just "slot" you into a ward; we look for the environment where your specific skills—whether they are in neurodevelopment or emergency crisis management—will shine.
1. Acute Wards (The Front Line)
In Nottingham’s acute psychiatric wards, the goal is assessment and stabilization.
- The Tasks: Administering medication, leading shift handovers, conducting risk assessments, and managing the therapeutic environment.
- The Skills: You need to be a quick thinker. Acute wards change in a heartbeat, and your ability to maintain safety is paramount.
- The Pay: Expect competitive hourly rates, especially when covering emergency "last-minute" gaps.
2. PICU – Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (The High Intensity)
The PICU is for service users in the most distressed phase of their illness.
- The Tasks: 1-to-1 observations, intensive pharmacological management, and lead roles in de-escalation.
- The Requirement: You must be up-to-date with your PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) or MAPA training.
- The Reward: These are often the most financially rewarding shifts due to the specialist nature of the care.
3. Crisis Support & Home Treatment (The Rapid Response)
Not everyone needs a hospital bed. The Crisis Teams in Nottingham work to keep people safe in their own homes.
- The Tasks: Triaging phone calls, conducting home visits, and working closely with families and emergency services.
- The Vibe: This is highly autonomous work. You are often the first professional on the scene during a mental health emergency.
4. Community Mental Health Teams (The Long-Term Path)
If you prefer building long-term therapeutic relationships, community work is where you belong.
- The Tasks: Managing a caseload of service users, monitoring long-term medication side effects (like clozapine clinics), and facilitating social reintegration.
- The Benefit: These shifts often mirror "office hours," making them perfect for RMNs who want to avoid the 12-hour night shift cycle.
Stay updated with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards – Ensure your practice always meets the latest professional requirements.
Why Choose Agency Work with Staff Direct?
We know that RMNs are in high demand. You could work almost anywhere. So, why pick us?
- Financial Freedom: Let's be blunt. The cost of living is rising. Our RMN rates in Nottingham start at approximately £32.00 per hour and can exceed £55.00 for specialist or bank holiday shifts. We pay weekly, ensuring your hard work is reflected in your bank account immediately.
- Total Flexibility: Want to work three nights a week so you can study for your Master’s during the day? Or perhaps you want to work "full throttle" for a month and then take two weeks off? With agency work, you are the boss of your diary.
- Clinical Variety: Working across different wards—from Highbury Hospital to private units in Mansfield—prevents "burnout" and keeps your clinical skills sharp.
- Supportive Onboarding: We don't just throw you in at the deep end. We assist with compliance, help you source PMVA training if needed, and ensure you have a thorough induction to every new site.
The Power of Local Knowledge
Our Nottingham recruitment desk isn't based in a far-off city. We know the local landscape. We know which wards are busy, which teams are supportive, and where the best parking is for your shift at the QMC. This local touch makes a massive difference to your working day.
Learn about the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – The major provider of mental health services in the region.
What We Need from Our RMNs
To maintain our reputation for excellence, we have a rigorous selection process. We are looking for the "gold standard" of nursing.
- NMC Registration: An active PIN with no restrictions on practice.
- Experience: Ideally, at least 6 to 12 months of post-registration experience in a UK mental health setting.
- Resilience: Mental health nursing can be emotionally taxing. We look for nurses who practice good self-care and have high emotional intelligence.
- Communication: You must be able to document accurately (using systems like Rio or SystemOne) and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).
- Mandatory Training: Proof of up-to-date life support, safeguarding, and PMVA/MAPA training.
- Not an RMN? Browse our Healthcare Assistant Jobs – We also have high-demand shifts for experienced MH-HCAs.
The Staff Direct Onboarding Experience
We’ve optimized our process so you can start earning as quickly as possible.
- Initial Contact: Fill out our online form or give us a call. We’ll have a professional-to-professional chat about your experience.
- Digital Compliance: Upload your documents (Passport, PIN, Training Certs) to our secure portal. No need for endless trips to an office.
- DBS Check: If you aren't on the Update Service, we can fast-track a new Enhanced DBS for you.
- Reference Checks: We’ll contact your previous employers to verify your clinical competency.
- Shift Matching: Once cleared, you’ll be assigned a dedicated consultant who will send you shifts that match your preferences.

Life in Nottingham for a Healthcare Professional
When you aren't on shift, Nottingham is a fantastic place to live and work. It’s a city that balances a busy urban center with incredible green spaces like Wollaton Park.
- Connectivity: The tram system makes getting to the City Hospital or the QMC a breeze, even during rush hour.
- Affordability: Compared to London or Bristol, your agency earnings go much further here, allowing for a better quality of life.
- Culture: From the creative Quarter in Hockley to the world-class sporting facilities at Trent Bridge, there is always something to do on your days off.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Nursing Career
The mental health landscape in Nottingham is evolving, and it needs passionate, skilled, and reliable RMNs to lead the way. Whether you are looking to gain experience in Acute Wards, PICU, or Crisis Support, Staff Direct is here to facilitate your journey.
Stop settling for rigid rotas and stagnant pay. Join an agency that values your expertise, pays you what you’re worth, and gives you the freedom to choose your own path.
Your next shift in Nottingham is waiting. Are you ready to make a difference?
APPLY FOR NOTTINGHAM RMN JOBS NOW
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the typical hourly rates for RMNs in Nottingham?
Rates vary based on the setting and the time of the shift. Generally, weekday day shifts start around £32.00 - £35.00 per hour. Nights and Saturdays usually command £40.00+, while Sundays and Bank Holidays can reach £50.00 to £55.00 per hour. We provide a full transparent pay scale upon registration.
2. Do I need PMVA or MAPA training before I start?
For Acute and PICU wards, yes. These are "restraint-trained" environments where safety training is a legal requirement. If your training has lapsed, don't worry—Staff Direct can often point you toward accredited local training providers in Nottingham to get you refreshed and ready for work.
3. Can I work agency shifts alongside a permanent NHS job?
Absolutely! Many of our nurses work "bank" or agency shifts on their days off to supplement their income. This is a great way to save for a specific goal, like a mortgage deposit or a holiday, while keeping your NHS pension and benefits in your main job. Just ensure you are following the Working Time Directive rules regarding rest.
4. How do I submit my timesheets?
We use a streamlined digital system. Most of our Nottingham clients use electronic timesheets, but for those that still use paper, you simply snap a photo of your signed sheet and upload it to our portal. As long as it’s in by the weekly deadline, you get paid that Friday.
5. What happens if I’m sent to a ward that I don't feel comfortable in?
Your safety and professional registration are our priorities. If you arrive at a shift and feel the environment is unsafe or outside your competency, we encourage you to speak to the ward manager and then call us immediately. We will support you and ensure we find a more suitable placement for your next shift.