Parliamentary Secretary for Health Daniel Andrews has launched a Bachelor of Nursing degree course with a major in mental health.

Mr Andrews said the Government was investing $180,000 in the three-year pilot project at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus and at the University of Ballarat.

He told first-year nursing students at Bundoora he strongly encouraged them to enrol from this year's second semester.

'Incorporating a major in mental health in the Bachelor of Nursing is an exciting step for those involved in the health sector in general and mental health services specifically.

'Even students considering other areas of nursing should realise that, one day, many of them are highly likely to be called on to provide care for a person facing mental health issues.

'Knowing what to do from the outset of their careers will give young nurses a valuable head start.

'Whether the setting is emergency care, acute care, aged care or a mental health service, it's vital that professional nurses have the training to help the mentally-ill when they need it most.'

The first semester of the major is an introduction and overview of clinical mental health settings.

Second and third years will include placements with the pilot's key clinical partners—the Austin and Repatriation and Alfred Health Services.

Mr Andrews also presented a letter of support from Health Minister Bronwyn Pike to Professor Gerald Farrell, head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe.

Ms Pike said this additional State investment in the future of mental health services would help address nursing shortages in this field as well as enhance nurses' career prospects.

The pilot is a key recommendation of the Victorian Taskforce on Nurse Preparation for Mental Health Work, which Mr Andrews chaired.

'The Government has employed some 6,000 extra nurses in Victoria's public hospitals.

'Shortages still exist statewide, however, in vital areas including mental health nursing,' Mr Andrews said.