Premium
Mental health nursing standards for Australia: A review of current literature
Author(s) -
Neville Christine,
Hangan Catherine,
Eley Diann,
Quinn John,
Weir Jim
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0349.2008.00522.x
Subject(s) - mental health , nursing , mental health nursing , medicine , medline , nursing practice , occupational health nursing , psychology , health policy , psychiatry , public health , political science , law
The expanding role of the mental health nurse brings new challenges and rewards. To support this, nationally adopted, formalized standards of practice are required. Currently, the Standards of Practice for Mental Health Nurses in Australia published by the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses in 1995 provide a guide for mental health nurses working in Australia. While these standards have played a role in supporting mental health nurses, they have not been widely adopted. This report reviews the current literature on standards for practice and describes an evidence‐based rationale as to why a review and renewal of these is required and why it is important, not just for mental health nurses but to the field of mental health in general.