Perspectives of Australian Nursing Directors Regarding Educational Preparation for Mental Health Nursing Practice

Abstract

There is an ongoing global shortage of mental health nurses. Within Australia, the principal strategy of offering a postgraduate education programme with various incentives to encourage nurses back to study has not been successful. This has led to the consideration of radical alternatives, including the return to pre-registration specialisation in mental health. The successful introduction of this strategy would require the full support of industry partners. To date, the voice of industry has not been heard in relation to this issue. The aim of this paper is to present the views of an Australian sample of mental health nursing directors regarding the resources and other factors required, should undergraduate specialist programmes in mental health be developed, to ensure they are relevant and likely to be successful. A qualitative exploratory research project was undertaken to explore the perspectives and opinions of industry partners. In-depth interviews were conducted with nursing directors (n = 12) in Queensland Australia. Five main themes were identified: relationships with universities; clinical placement preparation and support; workplace culture; facilitators and preceptors; and practical student learning. Genuine collaboration between the two organisations was considered crucial for delivering a quality programme and providing the required support for students. Transformative leadership could inform this collaboration by promoting acknowledgement of and respect for differences.

Breaking down the stigma of mental health nursing: A qualitative study reflecting opinions from western australian nurses

“…Further subthemes of our research highlight the importance of raising the profile of mental health nursing in “self‐promotion” and “industry/university promotion.” There is no specific evidence to support the notion that changing students attitudes would result in more newly qualified nurses choosing to work in mental health nursing (Happell & Gaskin, ). It may be that mental health clinicians hold the key to promoting this specialist area of nursing as a desirable career option, coupled with better mental health theoretical preparation and clinical placement preparation and support (Happell & McAllister, ). If university and industry work together to develop stronger collegiate links, as our research indicates, this may facilitate the promotion of mental health nursing as a more attractive career option.…”

“…There have been challenges associated with encouraging mental health nurses to return to postgraduate study. Happell and McAllister () suggest that numerous recruitment strategies have not been successful. Postgraduate nursing courses (Australian Education Network, ) are usually considered more for career advancement than for initial employment opportunities as there is no requirement for nurses to have additional mental health specific skills as a basic requirement for employment.…”

“…There have been challenges associated with encouraging mental health nurses to return to postgraduate study. Happell and McAllister (2014) "Improving the student experience," a subtheme identified within this study, was recognized as vital for the profession with a focus on timing and exposure of students and dedicated clinicians. Löfmark, Thorkildsen, Råholm, and Natvig (2012) suggest that clinical preceptors and academics are an invaluable resource in preparing students for the role of the graduate nurse.…”

Preceptors’ perspectives of an integrated clinical learning model in a mental health environment

“…). Mental health nurses and supervisors play an important role in promoting this specialist area of nursing during student placements (Happell & McAllister ). However, the way in which clinical supervisors fulfil their roles is largely determined by the structure of the clinical placement.…”

“…Positive experiences during clinical placements are strongly associated with higher levels of perceived clinical confidence (Patterson et al 2017), which has, in turn, been linked to greater interest in working in the mental health setting (Happell & Gaskin 2013;Harrison et al 2017;Moxham et al 2011). Mental health nurses and supervisors play an important role in promoting this specialist area of nursing during student placements (Happell & McAllister 2014). However, the way in which clinical supervisors fulfil their roles is largely determined by the structure of the clinical placement.…”