October 2002

Mental health nurse recruitment drive to target students

A new recruitment drive to attract more mental health nurses will target high school students, university nursing students, registered nurses and others wanting a career change.

‘Attracting a skilled workforce is one of the major challenges facing our mental health services,’ said Minister for Health John Thwaites.

‘The Government recently launched a five-year Mental Health Strategy to guide the provision of Victorian mental health services into the future.

‘The strategy is backed up with a $61 million budget boost—an 11 per cent increase which was the biggest of any health area this year.

‘But to put the strategy into action, we need more skilled mental health nurses.’

A new video produced by working mental health nurses was aimed at nursing students, high-school students, registered nurses and career-changers.

‘Featuring frontline staff, it shows mental health nursing is professional and rewarding.

‘The Government is committed to supporting caring, cohesive communities and targeting resources to where they are most needed and most effective.

‘Mental health is one of those areas.’

Mr Thwaites said the aim was to recruit at least 300 extra mental health nurses over the next three years.

Currently, about 2,700 mental health nurses work in Victoria’s public system.

The video has already been shown in some university information sessions and its use kicked off in earnest during Mental Health Week.

It will be shown at information sessions in tertiary institutions and hospitals, with schools to follow later this year and early next year.