Motivations of nursing students regarding their educational preparation for mental health nursing in Australia and the United Kingdom: a survey evaluation

There has been much debate by both academics and clinical agencies about the motivations and abilities of nurse graduates to work in mental health nursing. The aim of this study was to recruit student nurses from a dedicated mental health nursing program in the United Kingdom (UK) and a comprehensiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC nursing 2015-05, Vol.14 (1), p.29-29, Article 29
Main Authors: Edward, Karen-Leigh, Warelow, Philip, Hemingway, Stephen, Hercelinskyj, Gylo, Welch, Anthony, McAndrew, Sue, Stephenson, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Career choice
Careers
Clinical medicine
Colleges & universities
Ethnicity
Mental health
Midwifery
Nurses
Nursing education
Polls & surveys
Printed materials
Psychiatric services
Psychiatric-mental health nursing
Psychological aspects
Students
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Summary:There has been much debate by both academics and clinical agencies about the motivations and abilities of nurse graduates to work in mental health nursing. The aim of this study was to recruit student nurses from a dedicated mental health nursing program in the United Kingdom (UK) and a comprehensive nursing program in Australia and illuminate their motivations towards considering mental health nursing as a career choice. This study comprised of two UK and four Australian Schools of Nursing within Universities. A 12 item survey was developed for the purpose of this study and was checked for face validity by experienced mental health nurses. Convenience sampling was used and 395 responses were received. The comprehensive program represented by the Australian sample, revealed a third of respondents indicated that mental health nursing was definitely not a career option, while only 8 % of the UK specialised program reported mental health nursing was not seven for them. In both groups a higher level of motivation to work in mental health emanated from personal experience and/or work experience/exposure to mental health care. A greater focus on clinical exposure in comprehensive programs could enhance professional experience needed to increase student motivations for mental health nursing.
ISSN:1472-6955
1472-6955
DOI:10.1186/s12912-015-0084-8