Mental health nurses experienced and qualified to work in advanced practice roles are in very short supply in Australia and many other countries at a time in which innovative models of care are being introduced in public and private health services. The career development prospects for this exciting specialist field of nursing are thus excellent. In line with these new developments in mental health care, the main focus of the Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) is on advanced clinical practice at nurse practitioner level. The intention is to produce graduates who will be able to work effectively as mental health nurse practitioners in any health care location.

The program is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery in partnership with the three other contributing Schools within the Faculty of Health - Medicine and Public Health, Health Sciences and Biomedical Sciences. This has allowed collaboration in the planning of the program and ensures that students have access to excellent resource materials and staff in the key areas of pathology, medical imaging, pharmacology and clinical nursing. Teaching is shared between academic staff from various disciplines within the Faculty and conjoint academic staff who are expert clinicians in their specialty area of practice.

The combination of on-line learning, embedded clinical practice and face-to-face workshops offers flexibility and accessibility enabling students from rural and remote areas to access this program.

This program is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a program leading to endorsement as a nurse practitioner.

The Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) program is designed to prepare expert nurses for the autonomous role of the nurse practitioner in the speciality of mental health nursing. If you are already highly skilled then you may aspire to becoming a nurse practitioner in mental health. In this program, you will further develop your skills in health assessment and differential diagnosis within a holistic nursing model of care. You will undertake studies in pharmaco-therapeutics, research, contemporary nursing issues and leadership which will support you in your extended role. These studies will provide you with the confidence to work collaboratively as a valuable member of the healthcare team and to know that you are really making a vital contribution to your client's health outcome.

This program requires the successful completion of 120 units of study. The program is intended for registered nurses who wish to apply for endorsement by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to work as a nurse practitioner, or who may wish to present the qualification to authorities in other states or countries. The program includes a minimum of 658 hours of embedded clinical practice in nursing, under the guidance of approved academic and clinical supervisors (approved by the Program Convenor). This clinical practice is undertaken in the student's normal place of work. It is expected that the student's employment is accredited with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) or similar.

Students enrolled in this program are required to complete 120 units in total, including: 80 units of Core courses, 30 units of Directed courses and 10 units of either PUBH6210 or BIOS6910.

The recommended intake for this program is Trimester 1 or 2.

The following on-campus attendance is required:

• (2 days) - Orientation at the commencement of the program
• (5 days) - NURS6620 Biophysical Processes and Health Assessment
• (2 days) - NURS6031 Therapeutic Engagement and Psychosocial Interventions
• On-campus attendance is also required for clinical viva assessment

The program is designed for expert Registered Nurses who aspire to Nurse Practitioner practice. You will further develop and refine your knowledge and clinical skills in comprehensive health assessment and diagnosis. At the completion of this program you will be able to demonstrate that you meet the Competency Standards for Nurse Practitioners as defined by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia. These attributes would be required for autonomous practice as a nurse practitioner but would also be useful in senior clinical nursing roles, nursing research and/or nursing education.

Mental health nurses work in a wide variety of service locations, in both the public and private sectors. The discipline is rapidly developing with opportunities for nurse practitioner positions being developed in areas such as rural mental health, child and adolescent mental health, mental health nursing in emergency departments and mental health nursing in primary care (general practice).

Graduates of the program are eligible to seek credentialling as mental health nurses under the Credentialing for Practice Program of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.

Information on professional recognition can be found at the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners http://www.acnp.org.au/index.html