GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM

The program delivers the theoretical learning to nursing and allied health clinicians entering the mental health workforce in participating NEVIL cluster services.

Embedded in graduate and postgraduate psychiatric nurse years, the NEVIL program provides beginning practitioners:

• a sound preparation at the beginning of their career with a two week orientation and study block

• additional, more advanced communication and counselling training at a one week midyear study block

• matches clinical rotations of participating services

• formal feedback and assessment

• a two day ASIST workshop (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

• up to 50% credit towards a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing leading to psychiatric endorsement by the Nurses Board of Victoria (upon successful completion)

Each service provides beginning mental health nurses with:

• clinical rotations in specialist psychiatric settings

• supernumerary time in community-based services

• clinical supervision

• preceptors

• clinical educators

• mandatory training in:

  • basic life support

  • communicating with people who exhibit difficult or aggressive behaviours

  • risk assessment and management

TARGET GROUPS

• Graduates from Undergraduate Nursing Programs seeking entry at beginning level to Mental Health Nursing

• Division 1 nurses (without NBV psychiatric nursing endorsement) new to the mental health setting (Post Graduate Program).

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is of 12 months duration. Nurses are employed by their service from the NEVIL cluster for this period. Successful graduates of the program will be able to apply for credit towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing from a number of leading universities.

The program consists of three discreet units of study:

• Module 1: Introduction to frameworks supporting Mental Health Nursing Practice;

• Module 2: Introduction to psychopathology, assessment and intervention; and

• Module 3: Communication and counselling skills for Mental Health Nurses

Each unit has a one week study block, followed by learning in the clinical field.

Clinical supervision provides a regular forum for participants to share experiences and reflect on practice, under the guidance of an experienced clinical educator.

Formal assessments are built into the program to validate its postgraduate status. They are designed to support the beginning mental health clinician in a number of other ways:

• essays provide opportunities for participants to practise writing at a post-graduate level on topics of interest they select from their real-world experience from the work area, or from the safety of supplied scenarios;

• case presentations allow participants to develop skills such as:

  • collecting collateral histories

  • gathering and sorting data from medical files

  • identifying and conveying relevant aspects from their personal interactions with consumers using a structured tool to present the information gathered to others practising; and

  • public speaking in a safe, nurturing environment.

All participants are paid to attend study blocks by their employing service. Specialists and experts from within the NEVIL cluster present at the study blocks. Some specific training is provided by external organisations.

Training is interactive, using small group work, role play, multi-media, and debate.

View the full course document, including the theory modules by clicking here.