Ms Fiona Little

Ms Fiona Little

Mental Health Academic

University Newcastle Department of Rural Health (Nursing)

Career Summary

Biography

Ms Fiona Little is an Academic Mental Health Nurse at the University of Newcastle, Department of Rural Health where she has been employed since 2007. She is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing and has 30 years’ experience in mental health nursing. Ms Little graduated in 1988 from the Armidale College of Advanced Education and worked initially in the acute mental health setting. Her experience includes the establishment of a nurse-led consultation liaison mental health nursing service from 2001-2007 to Emergency Department, Intensive Care and general wards of Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital. Ms Little worked in this role as a Clinical Nurse Consultant with the role developing into a Transitional Nurse Practitioner position. Ms Little was appointed as an Accredited Person from 2003-2007 by the NSW Health Department pursuant to the Mental Health Act 1990 (NSW).

Since 2007, Ms Little has worked in an academic role in University Department of Rural Health Mental Health Academic program. The MHA program focuses on four key performance domains including

(1) improving access to mental health services

(2) improving the ability for health professionals to recognise and manage mental health issues

(3) enhancing community awareness

(4) providing opportunity for mentoring and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Ms Little completed her Masters of Nursing (Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2008.Her research interests include workforce development, promoting the role of the mental health nursing profession in rural practice, developing and evaluating service delivery models in primary health care and incorporating inter professional learning into clinical practice.

Research Expertise
Rural mental health workforce development, Interprofessional learning and service models, Perinatal mental health

Teaching Expertise
Consultation Liaison mental health in rural practice, Therapeutic nursing interventions, Risk management, Clinical Supervision, Perinatal mental health

Administrative Expertise
Australian Rural Health Education Network-Mental Health Academic Network Chair-2007-2013


Qualifications

  • Master of Nursing (Mental Hlth-Nurse Practitioner), University of Western Sydney
  • Diploma in Health Science (Nursing), Armidale College of Advanced Education
  • Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health), University of Western Sydney

Keywords

  • Clinical supervision
  • Interprofessional models of care in rural health
  • Mental Health
  • Mental health nursing professional development
  • Perinatal mental health

Fields of Research

Code Description Percentage
420504 Mental health nursing 100

Professional Experience

Academic appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/9/2001 - 1/7/2007 Clinical Nurse Consultant-Mental Health Consultation Liaison Hunter New England Local Health District

Professional appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/7/2007 - 1/10/2007 Transitional Nurse Practitioner Mental Health Hunter New England Local Health District

Awards

Recognition

Year Award
2011 NSW Premier's Award Finalist
NSW Health
2011 HNEH Quality Award Finalist
Hunter New England Health
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Publications

For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.

Chapter (3 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2016 Little FH, Croker E, 'Collaborating within professions: Many layers and many roles', Collaborating in Healthcare Reinterpreting Therapeutic Relationships, Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 157-166 (2016) [B1]
2014 Little FH, Brown L, Grotowski M, Harris D, 'Interprofessional Relationships in Healthcare Practice', Health Practice Relationships, Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 143-152 (2014) [B1]
Co-authors Miriam Grotowski, Leanne Brown
2010 Brown LJ, Little FH, 'Nourishing networks: Using information technology and mentoring to promote interdisciplinary education and training in rural areas', A Bright Future For Rural Health: Evidence-Based Policy And Practice In Rural And Remote Australian Health Care, Australian Rural Health Education Network, Canberra, ACT 82-84 (2010) [B2]
Co-authors Leanne Brown

Journal article (6 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2019 Little F, Hazelton M, Higgins I, Croker A, 'Integrating workplace thriving into the discourse supporting strength-based mental health nursing recruitment and retention strategies', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, 28 27-27 (2019)
Co-authors Michael Hazelton
2019 Little F, Croker A, Carey TA, 'Valued but tenuous? Postgraduate clinical psychology placements for psychology students in rural and remote areas - implications for future directions', Rural and Remote Health, 19 (2019) [C1]
DOI 10.22605/RRH4621
Citations Scopus - 4Web of Science - 2
Co-authors Anne Croker
2017 Little F, Stokes-Parish JB, Hawkins NL, Collier J, 'Rurally located academics for undergraduate nursing placements for students who 'go rural'', Australian Nursing Midwifery Journal, Volume 25 45-45 (2017)
2016 Little FH, Pierce D, Bennett-Levy J, Isaacs A, Bridgman H, Lutkin S, et al., 'Mental health academics in rural and remote Australia', Rural and Remote, 16 1-11 (2016) [C1]
Citations Scopus - 4Web of Science - 2
2014 Little FH, Galloway A, 'Early years outreach clinic defeating barriers to perinatal mental health care in rural Australia', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 21 51-51 (2014) [E3]
2012 Little FH, Brown LJ, Grotowski M, Harris D, 'Nourishing networks: An interprofessional learning model and its application to the Australian rural health workforce', Rural and Remote Health, 12 1-7 (2012) [C1]
Citations Scopus - 7Web of Science - 8
Co-authors Leanne Brown, Miriam Grotowski
Show 3 more journal articles

Conference (32 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2023 Little F, Hazelton M, Croker A, Higgins I, 'Unleashing the potential of thriving at work to improve job satisfaction in mental health nursing', https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13210, Melbourne, VIC (2023)
DOI 10.1111/inm.13210
Co-authors Michael Hazelton, Anne Croker
2022 Little F, Croker A, Hazelton M, Higgins I, 'Thriving at work: Interpreting the perspectives of rural nurses providing mental health care', Gold Coast, QLD (2022)
Co-authors Michael Hazelton, Anne Croker
2022 Little F, Croker A, Hazelton M, Higgins I, 'Thriving at work: Insights for workforce development from the perspective of mental health nursing', Gold Coast, QLD (2022)
Co-authors Michael Hazelton, Anne Croker
2021 Little F, Fisher K, Morgan R, Weiley S, Depczynski J, 'Valuing Research Within Nursing Education and Practice: Shaping Future Perspective Through Conversation', Newcastle, NSW (2021)
Co-authors Julie Depczynski, Karin Fisher
2019 Little F, Hazelton M, Croker A, Higgins I, 'Integrating workplace thriving into the discourse supporting strength-based mental health nursing recruitment and retention strategies', Sydney, NSW (2019)
Co-authors Michael Hazelton, Anne Croker
2018 Little FH, Hazelton M, Higgins I, Croker A, 'Workplace Thriving for Rural Mental Health Nursing: Concepts and Perspectives', Hobart, TAS (2018)
Co-authors Michael Hazelton, Anne Croker
2017 Little FH, O'Brien A, Gray M, Wilson R, 'Rural community-based mental health placements re-contextualising nursing and social work student learning', Cairns (2017)
2017 Stokes-Parish J, Little FH, 'Understanding Key Supervisory Roles for Undergraduate Nurses on Rural Clinical Placements', Newcastle, NSW (2017)
2015 Little FH, 'Incorporating biofeedback into the rural primary healthcare setting', 8th Primary Mental Health Care Conference, Canberra (2015) [E3]
2015 Harris D, Grotowski M, Brown L, Little F, 'Riding the wave of success: revamping the Nourishing Networks education program', ANZAED's 13th Annual Conference, Gold Coast (2015) [E3]
Co-authors Leanne Brown, Miriam Grotowski
2014 Little FH, Galloway A, 'The Early Years Outreach Clinic: Demonstrating leadership and collaboration for perinatal mental health nursing in primary health', International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, Melbourne (2014) [E3]
2013 Schlicht K, Little FH, 'Preparing the psychology profession to work in rural and remote communities - are we doing enough?', Handbook of the 5th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, Geelong, VIC (2013) [E3]
2013 Roufeil L, Little FH, 'Promoting best practice in the provision of rural mental health student placements', Proceedings of the 12th National Rural Health Conference, Adelaide (2013) [E2]
2013 Little FH, Peterson K, Finn A, 'Innovation: Working in partnership to provide perinatal mental health treatment and support to families in rural communities', N/A, Brisbane (2013)
2012 Hawkins R, Little FH, Olds K, 'The Supervision Training Project', 4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium. Conference Proceedings 2012, Adelaide, SA (2012) [E2]
2012 Little FH, Mills J, Sutton K, 'Putting people first: Shaping the future of rural mental health clinical placements across Australia', 4th Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium, Adelaide, SA (2012) [E3]
2011 Galloway A, Little F, '. Early Years Outreach Clinic: A perinatal model of care demonstrating collaboration and partnership in a primary mental health care service.', N/A, Ballarat (2011)
2011 Little FH, 'Advanced practice in primary health care- Mental health nursing from the perspective of a specialist rural perinatal clinic', N/A, Gold Coast (2011)
2011 Little F, 'Disengagement from care: A pilot study determining client trends for leaving treatment in a rural primary mental health care practice', N/A, Ballarat (2011)
2010 Little FH, 'Growing your own mental health workforce - The development and implementation of a unique Primary Mental Health Internship Program', 2nd Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium: 'Winds Of Change' - New Perspectives on Rural and Remote Mental Health. Program, Sydney, NSW (2010) [E3]
2010 Galloway A, Little FH, 'Life Solutions North West: Promoting a creative model of rural primary mental health practice through interprofessional learning and competency development', All Together Better Health 5 Conference. Program, Sydney, NSW (2010) [E3]
2010 Little FH, Brown LJ, Pryor D, Harris D, Grotowski M, 'Nourishing Networks: Innovation in interprofessional learning for rural clinicians working with eating disorder clients', All Together Better Health 5 Conference. Program, Sydney, NSW (2010) [E3]
Co-authors Leanne Brown
2010 Brown LJ, Harris D, Little FH, Grotowski M, 'Challenges of delivering an inter-professional education program for rural clinicians working with eating disorder clients', National SARRAH Conference 2010 Conference. Program, Broome, WA (2010) [E3]
Co-authors Miriam Grotowski, Leanne Brown
2010 Little FH, 'Mummy Matters: A rural perinatal depression support group', N/A, Sydney (2010)
2010 Harris D, Brown LJ, Little FH, Pryor D, Grotowski M, 'Nourishing networks: An innovative program for rural health professionals working with eating disorder clients', Nutrition & Dietetics, Melbourne, Australia (2010) [E3]
Co-authors Leanne Brown
2009 Crisp S, Little FH, 'Rural psychologists' perceptions of changes to Australian psychology accreditation', 2009 General Practice and Primary Health Care Research Conference: Abstracts and Presentations, Adelaide, SA (2009) [E3]
2009 Harris D, Grotowski M, Brown LJ, Little FH, Pryor D, 'Nourishing networks: Learning and development program', 7th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders: Programme and Abstracts, Brisbane, QLD (2009) [E3]
Co-authors Leanne Brown
2009 Little FH, Brown LJ, Pryor D, Harris D, Grotowski M, 'Nourishing networks: Utilising information technology and mentoring to promote education and training in rural areas', NSW Rural Allied Health Conference 2009: Program Book, Tamworth, NSW (2009) [E3]
Co-authors Leanne Brown
2009 Little FH, Adhami S, Selleck S, Cooper R, 'Life Solutions North West: Demonstrating an inter-professional model for rural primary mental health clinicians', N/A, Tamworth (2009)
2008 Little FH, 'Differences and divergence: A review of clinical outcomes from a rural based community mental health service', 14th Annual Hunter Mental Health Conference: Conference Program, Newcastle, NSW (2008) [E3]
2008 Little FH, 'Old problems, new models: Developing a sustainable workforce through diversity and partnerships', 18th Annual TheMHS Conference: Book of Abstracts, Auckland, NZ (2008) [E3]
2008 Pryor D, Little FH, 'An integrated community model of rural and remote mental health service delivery', NSW Rural and Remote Health Conference 2008: Conference Program, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2008) [E3]
Show 29 more conferences

Report (4 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2021 Croker A, Fisher K, Wakely K, Cooper E, Grotowski M, Cone L, et al., 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Pedagogical and equity implications of videoconferencing for higher education students learning in rural areas', Excellence for Equity in Higher Education (CEEHE) in Teaching for Equity in Higher Education (2021)
Co-authors Luke Wakely, Lauren Cone, Karin Fisher, Leanne Brown, Sonja Littlejohns, Lani Carter, Anne Croker, Kelly Squires, Miriam Grotowski
2019 Croker A, Wakely K, Brown L, Cone L, Cooper E, De Silva L, et al., 'Out of sight, out of mind?: Pedagogical and equity implications of videoconferencing for healthcare students education in rural areas' (2019)
Co-authors Luke Wakely, Alexandra Little, Lauren Cone, Miriam Grotowski, Karin Fisher, Leanne Brown, Anne Croker, Sonja Littlejohns, Lani Carter
2015 Wilson R, Little F, O'Brien A, Gray M, Finn A, 'Hunter & Central Coast ICTN. Scoping novel rural mental health clinical placements for undergraduate nursing and social work students in Northern NSW. Final Report: 20th November 2015', Australian Government. Department of Health, 32 (2015)
Co-authors Rhonda Wilson
2015 Little F, O'Brien AP, Gray M, Wilson R, Finn A, 'Scoping novel rural mental health clinical placements for undergraduate nursing and social work students in Northern NSW, Final Report:', Funded by the Hunter & Central Coast ICTN, 31 (2015) [R1]
Co-authors Mel Gray
Show 1 more report
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Grants and Funding

Summary

Number of grants 3
Total funding $27,039

Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.

20152 grants / $25,815

Scoping novel rural mental health clinical placements for undergraduate nursing and social work students in northern NSW$25,065

Funding body: Mid North Coast Local Health District

Funding body Mid North Coast Local Health District
Project Team Ms Fiona Little, Professor Tony O'Brien, Emeritus Professor Mel Gray, Dr Rhonda Wilson, Mr Graeme Kershaw
Scheme Hunter and Coast ICTN Research and Quality Improvement Small Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2015
Funding Finish 2015
GNo G1500768
Type Of Funding Other Public Sector - Commonwealth
Category 2OPC
UON Y

8th Primary Mental Health Care Conference, Canberra Australia, 13-14 March 2015$750

Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine

Funding body University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine
Project Team Ms Fiona Little
Scheme Travel Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2015
Funding Finish 2015
GNo G1500328
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y

20131 grants / $1,224

5th Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium, Geelong Australia, 14-15 October 2013$1,224

Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine

Funding body University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine
Project Team Ms Fiona Little
Scheme Travel Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2013
Funding Finish 2013
GNo G1301093
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y
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Ms Fiona Little

Position

Mental Health Academic
University Newcastle Department of Rural Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing

Focus area

Nursing

Contact Details

Email fiona.little@newcastle.edu.au
Phone (02) 67553523
Fax (02) 67612355

Office

Building Tamworth Education Centre
Location Tamworth

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