Educating mental health nurses in clinical settings: tackling the challenge

Education for mental health nurses, in particular undergraduate and postgraduate learning programs, is a hot topic. Whilst transition programs are generally believed to be helpful for attracting new graduate nurses to the specialty of mental health nursing, the reality is that many nurses already in clinical settings are grappling to meet the various demands encountered in the workplace. Nursing education nowadays must make liberal reference to evidence-based practice (EBP). There is potential for greater involvement of clinicians in a range of EBP initiatives. Changes in the organization and delivery of mental health services have impacted on the nursing role, creating special challenges in the area of education. This is a challenge that must be won. Increasingly, learning and development opportunities are becoming available in the workplace to ensure staff are appropriately supported. These programs need to not only examine the role of mental health in the context of contemporary health care trends, but also to be accessible, flexible, relevant and linked to succession planning and career development pathways. It is also important to draw upon key staff to facilitate organizational support and, if necessary, change so that the skills and knowledge that are acquired can be utilized in practice in order to achieve better outcomes for consumers, carers and the broader community.