A Dose of Our Own Therapy: Using Research Findings to Challenge Mental Health Nurses to Embrace Contemporary Practice Realities

Abstract

This paper explores the effects of mental policy changes and the curtailment of mental health nursing education on the realities of working as a mental health nurse in rural and remote locations in New South Wales, Australia. Using the twin lenses of mental health nursing and the sociology of work and social change, the experiences of mental health nurses are explored and set in the context of the evolution of the mental health nurse into non-specialist mental health worker. At the same time, mental health nurses are challenged to adapt to new practice realities.