14 December 2006
To help address the major shortage of mental health care professionals both nationally and internationally, Monash University has launched a new degree for 2007.
The course has been designed for students who wish to pursue a career in mental health nursing with a psychological focus.
Only last month, the Health and Community Services Union welcomed the Labor Party's policy announcement for the state's (VIC) first Mental Health Minister, recognising that mental health has struggled to gain the attention it requires within competing health funding priorities and demands.
The latest state government report (VIC) predicts that there will be a shortfall of 1,375 mental health nurses by 2011-12*.
"The new Bachelor of Nursing (Psychological Studies) degree offers students the opportunity to gain a unique set of skills in both nursing and psychology, providing graduates with the option of taking up employment opportunities as mental health nurses. We hope the new course will attract students who are interested in providing mental health nursing care and have an interest in pursuing a career in psychology, helping to reduce Australia's shortage of mental health professionals," said Charanjit Singh, Course Co-ordinator.
The first year of the course will be a combination of units from the current Bachelor of Nursing course and from the Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours). This integrated approach will continue throughout the four years of the degree.
The new degree has been developed by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, as a collaborative, cross-disciplinary course. It offers the student an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in both nursing and psychology and prepares the graduate for a career as a specialist mental health professional.
Graduates may also elect to undertake further study at postgraduate level, to work towards qualifications in psychiatric nursing and psychology.
The new Bachelor of Nursing (Psychological Studies) degree is a direct entry course and there are only 30 places available for 2007.
*State government report "Nurses in Victoria: A supply and demand analysis 2003-04 to 2011-12" (p71).
Anyone interested in the course should contact: Monash University School of Nursing and Midwifery on +61 3 9904 4260 (Peninsula campus)
For more information please contact Jocelyn Hunter on +61 3 9902 0256.
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