Career in mental health still an unlikely career choice for nursing graduates: A replicated longitudinal study

Abstract

The lack of qualified mental health nurses is at critical level with the problem likely to worsen as the aging mental health nursing workforce retires. This study investigates the career preferences of undergraduate nursing students by comparing preferences at the start, middle, and end of the Bachelor of Nursing program. The comparison of the cohorts gave an indication of the change in preferences over the intervening years. It replicates research completed in 1992, 1997, and 2001, and develops a profile of nursing career preferences and the rationale underpinning those preferences in a cohort of students (n = 150) who began their Bachelor of Nursing studies in 2007 and completed in 2009. The main findings included that, like the previous studies, mental health nursing is one of the least desirable career choices for most nurses at the start of their course and remains so as they approach graduation. The reasons change but the outcome remains the same. The current system of using the Bachelor of Nursing award to produce mental health nurses in Australia does not encourage nurses to consider a career in mental health nursing. Which begs the question: where will mental health nurses in the future come from?

Undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes toward mental health nursing

“…In existing literature, the mental health profession was identified as the least desirable career choice among nursing students (Happell and Gaskin, 2013;Hoekstra et al, 2010;Stevens et al, 2013). Many factors (e.g., students' demographics, influence of theoretical and clinical education, anxiety and stigma associated with mental illness, and perceptions of mental health professions) have been examined to predict an existence of barriers in choosing mental health nursing as a career (Happell et al, 2014;Hoekstra et al, 2010;McCann et al, 2010).…”

“…Despite an increased number of young nursing graduates ages 23 to 26 by 62% between 2000 and 2009, recruiting new graduates to work in mental health care programs remains a challenge because of attitudes related to mental health and mental illness (Auerbach et al, 2011). Anxiety about mental illnesses, stigma associated with mental health nursing, and negative perceptions of psychiatric patients and mental health care create barriers to attracting new nursing graduates to choose mental health nursing for their career (Happell et al, 2014;Hoekstra et al, 2010;Linden and Kavanagh, 2012;Nadler-Moodie and Loucks, 2011;Ng et al, 2010;Stevens et al, 2013). Mental health nursing has been identified by nursing students as one of the least preferred potential careers (Happell and Gaskin, 2013;Stevens et al, 2013).…”

“…Anxiety about mental illnesses, stigma associated with mental health nursing, and negative perceptions of psychiatric patients and mental health care create barriers to attracting new nursing graduates to choose mental health nursing for their career (Happell et al, 2014;Hoekstra et al, 2010;Linden and Kavanagh, 2012;Nadler-Moodie and Loucks, 2011;Ng et al, 2010;Stevens et al, 2013). Mental health nursing has been identified by nursing students as one of the least preferred potential careers (Happell and Gaskin, 2013;Stevens et al, 2013). Nadler-Moodie and Loucks (2011) stated that new graduates, who might be interested in psychiatric nursing, are often discouraged from their choice by a shared belief among colleagues that: "You must do a year of med-surg first" (p. 479).…”

Valuing complex and diverse career pathways: the career trajectories and career-related choices of early career practitioners

“…Nursing students' negative preconceptions about supporting clients diagnosed with mental health issues are offered as another reason for not seeking employment in the mental health sector. In particular, students report concerns about the potential for being physically harmed by clients and about the unpredictable nature of mental illness (Hoekstra, van Meijel & van der Hooft-Leemans 2010;and Stevens et al 2013).…”

“…Some of the reasons offered by the existing research for the lack of interest in a mental health career expressed by early career nurses relate to widely held beliefs concerning working in this sector. Working in mental health is perceived as repetitive and dull as compared with the excitement and challenges associated with the clinical and technological skills requirements of other potential areas of practice, such as critical care (Stevens et al 2013;and Stevens & Dulhunty 1997). Nursing students' negative preconceptions about supporting clients diagnosed with mental health issues are offered as another reason for not seeking employment in the mental health sector.…”