title: Transition to Practice Program: A New Direction for Recruiting and Retaining Enrolled Nurses in Mental Health.
abstract: One health service in one Australian jurisdiction introduced a specialist mental health transition to practice program for newly qualified enrolled nurses. A process evaluation with the first cohort (n = 7) was undertaken in 2014. The program increased enrolled nurse confidence in mental health nursing and appears to be a viable solution to address the mental health nursing workforce shortage. Further research to evaluate components that effectively increase confidence and long-term retention is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Valerie Porter, RMN, GDipMentHN, CMHN, is Nurse Educator, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland, Australia. Corey Ham, BN, GDipMentHN, MN, CMHN, is Nurse Educator, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland, Australia. Laurie Grealish, RN, PhD, FCNA, is Associate Professor, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University and Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Corey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grealish
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D013038:Specialization / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce