Bryant, Jenni, Forster, John, McNamara, Paul, and Sharrock, Julie (2007) You are not alone: results of the 2005 Australian consultation-liaison nurses survey. Report. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.

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Abstract

Mental health nursing roles in Consultation-Liaison (CL) Psychiatry and emergency departments are developing within Australia. Mental health / psychiatric nurses work in a range of environments including general hospitals, emergency departments and the community. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of these positions have been initiated and developed in relative isolation and no formalised support framework. This was recognised by a collective of national CL nurses and subsequently three significant initiatives were established: (i) the organisation of a national annual conference (the first being held in 2003), (ii) the establishment of an e-mail network and (iii) the establishment of a professional group. The aim of these initiatives was to provide nurses with the opportunity to communicate with colleagues and enhance collegiate support within this developing specialty.

In order to improve the understanding of this specialty area, it was decided at the CL Nurses forum held Cairns, Queensland in June 2004 that it would be useful to gather information on CL Nurses in Australia through a national survey. The survey was aimed at CL nurses working in a range of settings and included questions relating to demographics, qualifications, experience, clinical practice, organisational structure, clinical supervision, education and training, and work satisfaction.

Key findings CL nurses who responded to the survey: • are experienced psychiatric / mental health nurses working primarily in general hospital wards and/or emergency departments • work in a range of specialty areas including specialist medical and surgical units, emergency departments, rehabilitation, nursing homes, maternity services and paediatrics • predominantly work on one or two sites • receive requests for consultation from a range of health professionals but predominantly nurses • provide mental health education and clinical supervision to a range of staff groups • use a range of titles to identify their role • predominantly report through mental health services • identified a higher degree as the minimum educational requirement to work in the role • overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction with their work

Item ID:	2013
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2008 18:42
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1110 Nursing > 111005 Mental Health Nursing @ 0%
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