Mental health nursing & undergraduate preparation
Nurses with mental health experience and education are an important part of the health team. Although there was once separate educational preparation for general and mental health nurses, the preparation of specialist mental health nurses now takes place in the postgraduate setting.
Contemporary undergraduate nursing education (Bachelor of Nursing courses) prepares nurses to practise as new or beginning practitioners in a range of health settings, including mental health.
After registration, specialist graduate nurse programs, mentorship and further postgraduate study means nurses can develop specialist mental health nursing skills and knowledge beyond that of new practitioners. However, concerns have been raised that:
- current nurse graduates are not prepared enough to work as new practitioners in mental health nursing,
- too little exposure of students to mental health nursing may mean they decide against pursuing a career in mental health, and
- too few nurses are entering the mental health field.
Bachelor of Nursing with mental health major
In response to these concerns, the Minister for Health established a taskforce to provide strategic advice and options regarding nurses’ preparation for mental health work to the Victorian Government.
The primary recommendation of the taskforce was that a pilot of an undergraduate nursing degree with a major in mental health should be undertaken in one metropolitan and one regional university.
In 2005, Department of Human Services (DHS) asked interested universities to put in submissions for support to develop a Bachelor of Nursing with a mental health major. Two sites - LaTrobe University and the University of Ballarat were selected to pilot this work and the pilots commenced in the 2006 academic year.
The objectives of the two pilots are:
- ensuring nurse graduates are adequately prepared and are safe and competent beginner nurses
- ensuring that nurse graduate can demonstrate enhanced capacity as a safe beginner level nurse in mental health
- to positively effect recruitment to mental health, and
- to increase the numbers of nurses committed to developing advanced skills in this field.
Information about Bachelor of Nursing with Mental health Major
For more information about these courses go to:
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Associate Professor Cecil Deans Email: c.deans@ballarat.edu.au |
Dr Amanda Kenny Email: a.kenny@latrobe.edu.au |
Evaluating the Bachelor of Nursing with mental health major
In addition to the two pilots, DHS is also funding an evaluation of both pilots. The two pilots are using different approaches and understanding the impact the different models have on outcomes is important. The evaluation will not be completed until late in 2008.
Literature review :
To support the evaluation, a literature review has been undertaken. A copy of the interim literature review is now available.
Literature review - Evaluation of the Bachelor of Nursing with Mental Health Major (pdf, 278kb)
The literature review will be updated in 2008. Your comments or suggestions for inclusion of literature is welcome and can be provided by completing the on line form.
Double Degrees
Some universities have developed other models such as ‘double degrees’ – Bachelor of Nursing /Bachelor of Mental health (Monash University).
Developing Quality Mental Health Clinical Experience Within Bachelor Of Nursing Programs
In early 2006, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) commenced a project to develop guidelines and processes for the delivery of mental health theory and practice within Bachelor of Nursing programs in Victoria.
The final report of that work, entitled “Establishing Guidelines For The Development Of Quality Clinical Experience In Mental Health Within Bachelor Of Nursing Programs Offered In Victoria (2007) is now available.
The report incorporates 10 guidelines about how quality clinical placements can be developed and sustained. The report and guidelines have relevance to education providers and those organisations involved in the clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students.