title: Back to the future? Views of heads of schools of nursing about undergraduate specialization in mental health nursing.
abstract: Preparation of nursing students for practice in mental health settings in Australia has been criticized since comprehensive education replaced preregistration specialist education. Current and projected workforce shortages have given rise to considering the reintroduction of specialization at preregistration level as a potential solution. Support of heads of schools of nursing would be essential for such an initiative to be considered. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken involving in-depth telephone interviews with heads of schools of nursing in Queensland. Participants generally favoured the concept of specialization in mental health nursing at undergraduate level. Data analysis revealed the following themes: meeting workforce needs, improving quality of care, employability of graduates, an attractive option for students, and what would have to go. Participants identified many benefits to mental health service delivery and consumer outcomes. How the initiative could be developed within an already overcrowded curriculum was identified as the major barrier. This level of support is encouraging if necessary changes to the educational preparation for mental health nursing practice are to be considered.
authors.affiliation: Central Queensland University, Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Centre for Mental Health Nursing Innovation and School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Happell
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McAllister
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011793:Queensland; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: attitude; educational preparation; mental health; nursing; workforce