title: Mental health nursing standards for Australia: a review of current literature.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Southern Queensland/The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia. c.neville1@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neville
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hangan
authors.forename: Diann
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eley
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D054521:Cultural Competency; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration