BackgroundThere 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsA greater focus on clinical exposure in comprehensive programs could enhance professional experience needed to increase student motivations for mental health nursing.

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Mental health nurses are the largest group of registered practitioners working in the mental health setting and thus need to be harnessed to make a positive contribution to the improvement of the physical health status of service users with a serious mental illness.

This is the second article which focuses on the inter-collaborative work between education and practice to enhance theoretical and practical delivery for mental health (MH) nurses when administrating Long Acting Intramuscular Injections (LAAIs). By designing two questionnaires, we were able to evaluate knowledge gain and the satisfaction level of the course delivery by the MH nurses, which appear initially to identify that such educational strategies can make a positive impact in clinical practice.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is: first, to consider the reported problems in sexual function caused by psychotropic medication. Second, the complex undertaking of completing an assessment of sexual functioning. Third, the role of the pharmaceutical industry is explored. Finally, implications for future research and practice are suggested. Design/methodology/approach – As a commentary this paper draws on the available literature to synthesise what is already known about the relationship between psychoactive substances and sexual functioning. Findings – The limited literature and lack of research attention given to psychotropic induced sexual dysfunction limits our collective understanding of how many people are affected and in what way. Research limitations/implications – A greater focus on psychotropic induced sexual dysfunction is needed for people with a dual diagnosis. There has been an over reliance on single case studies and self-reporting. Large scale epidemiological investigation would help understand the extent and nature of the problem more fully. The demographic shift particularly in relation to an ageing population should be considered as psychotropic substances effect individuals in different ways as they grow older. Practical implications – There is scope for workers to engage more fully in a conversation with clients about their experience of using psychotropic substances and how this has impacted their sexual functioning. The literature suggests that clients want to talk about this issue but staff are unwilling or unable to discuss the topic. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper that draws on the available literature to explore the known and likely implications of psychotropic induced sexual dysfunction for this client group.

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While there is a growing disquiet about the future of mental health nursing, there is little in the way of an organised, unified response from mental health nurses. The Health and Social Care Information Centre report a fall in the number of mental health nurses of more than 10% over the past five years. A survey was launched to explore stakeholders perspectives on the future of mental health nursing. The interest in and the analysis of this survey indicates that we are at the start of a key discussion rather than at the end point of consensus. It is vital that mental health nurses have opportunities to consider and test their opinions on these issues and the confidence to speak up and be heard.

This article reports on an evaluation of a prescribing workshop to increase 'shared learning' between registered practitioners undertaking a non-medical prescribing (NMP) course (midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy and podiatry) and undergraduate pharmacy students to increase awareness of, and understanding of the roles. The focus was on three domains of safe prescribing: Knowledge (of commonly prescribed medicines and their suitability for individual patients); Process (of legal requirements and supply of medicines and associated patient information); and Relationships (between prescribers and pharmacists). A cross sectional evaluation was utilised with 6-point Likert-style items and a free text section, completed by 337 participants. Participants reported positively about the workshop content and their learning experience, although some differences between pharmacy and NMP participants were noted in the knowledge domain. Quantitative analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.001) of low-to-moderate magnitude (partial-2=0.146) between NMP and Pharmacy student on all 3 domains, with NMP students reporting slightly more positive outcomes (between 0.4 and 1.5 points higher) in all cases. However, both groups scored positively; with mean domain scores of 15.6 to 16.5 on scales with maximum scores of 18.