Preparing nurses with enhanced mental health knowledge and skill: A major in mental health

Issues in Mental Health Nursing

2014

The literature demonstrates the problems mental health nursing has faced in securing sufficient graduate nurses to meet current and projected workforce needs. Deficiencies in educational preparation have been identified as a significant contributing factor. A major stream in mental health nursing has been introduced into undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing programmes as one strategy to address this problem. To-date, 11 streams have been introduced into Australian universities and no evaluations of the impact of these initiatives have been published as yet. This qualitative research was undertaken to explore the implementation and outcomes of major streams. In-depth telephone interviews were undertaken with participants from 10 universities, to explore their experiences with and opinions of this initiative. This paper specifically addresses the perceived benefits. Qualitative data analysis revealed many benefits to the major in promoting the value of, and encouraging interest in mental health nursing for undergraduate students. Four main themes were identified: (1) benefits to students; (2) benefits to the university; (3) benefits to industry; and (4) innovative approaches to education. The findings suggest the major in mental health nursing can contribute to addressing workforce problems in mental health nursing.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Major Stream in Mental Health in Undergraduate Nursing Programmes: Identifying the Benefits and Acknowledging the Innovation

Issues in Mental Health Nursing

2014

“…The introduction of a major in mental health nursing is a relatively new initiative that has not yet been systematically evaluated (Kenny et al . 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of a major in mental health nursing in Australian universities

Int J Mental Health Nurs

Moxham

Clarke

2011

The difficulty recruiting and retaining an adequate mental health nursing workforce is acknowledged. The major in mental health nursing has been identified as a strategy to promote this specialist area of practice as desirable for students' future careers. Measuring its success requires the collection of detailed data about the structure, content, and uptake of these programmes. A survey was specifically developed to elicit descriptive information about the structure and content of a major in mental health nursing programmes. Fourteen universities participated in this research. Eight had implemented a major, one intends to do so in 2011, and five had abandoned or suspended their plans for the major. The findings suggest considerable variation in both structure and content of the major in mental health nursing throughout Australia. Students are required to commit to and commence the programme at differing stages, and there is a substantial variation in the theoretical and clinical content in mental health undertaken as a requirement for the major. The numbers of students taking the major is relatively small in most universities; however, the retention rates are favourable. These findings provide important data for discussion about the ideal structure and content of a major in mental health nursing.

“…The implementation of major streams in mental health nurses was an initiative designed to provide students the opportunity to undertake additional theory and clinical experience in mental health if they elected to do so (Happell, Moxham, & Clarke, 2011;Kenny, McConnachie, Petrie, & Farrell, 2009;Mental Health Nurse Education Taskforce, 2008). However, the introduction of major streams in Australia was not accompanied by any guidelines defining the requirements and consequently, some majors included only minimal addition of theory and/or clinical content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Issues in Mental Health Nursing

McAllister

2014

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.