Turning the Coin—Emphasizing the Opportunities in Mental Health Nursing

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that mental health nursing has undergone considerable change in Australia during recent decades, including the mainstreaming of mental health services into the general health care system. Recruitment problems and high levels of stress and burnout associated with the profession are seen to be indicative of a degree of demise in the status and desirability of this field of practice. However, new nursing roles have developed in response to these changes. The aim of this paper is to focus on three specific roles: mental health consultation-liaison nursing; mental health nurse practitioner; and the mental health nurse incentive program. These new roles present exciting and rewarding career opportunities for mental health nurses and may increase the attractiveness of mental health nursing for new graduates.