Nursing workforce sustainability in Mental Health Services is a major issue due to critical shortages of professionally trained and skilled mental health nurses (Happell 2001; Happell 2008; Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee 2003). The recruitment and retention of mental health nurses is compromised without sufficient attention to the current needs of student nurses and clinical preceptors.
Mental Health Nurses provide care and support of persons with mental health issues across a range of acute inpatient, community mental health settings, specialist units and non-government organisations (Levett-Jones, Leathlean, Higgins & Mc Millan 2008; Hohi-Eggo 2008). Mental Health Nursing receives limited recognition …show more content…
Research studies warn that nurses can be assigned to the preceptor role without sufficient preparation, resources and support to enable them to meet the clinical learning needs of nursing students (Welch, et al 2007; Blum, 2009; Miller & Happell 2001; Henderson et al 2006; Landmark, Hansen, Bjones & Bohler …show more content…
“This placement has assuredly opened my eyes to mental health nursing and now, am considering pursuing a career in mental health nursing.”
Lack of Preceptor Feedback
One Student nurse reported experiencing difficulties in relating to their preceptors:
“I didn't feel a connection with my preceptor.” “I felt a bit uncomfortable.”
Another Student nurse commented in relation to preceptor feedback on their progress:
“I didn't feel like I get enough feedback regarding my placement in regards to what I was required to undertake to obtain my objectives and if I had reached them