The purpose of this program is for credentialing and recognizing scope of practice for Mental Health Nurse Specialists. Each Mental Health Nurse Specialist whether governed by nursing regulations providing for independent, supervised, collaborative, or other practice requirements, is independently responsible for his/her patient care. The scope of practice determines who the Mental Health Nurse Specialist can see, can treat and under what circumstance or guidance the Mental Health Nurse Specialist can provide this care. The Scope of practice also determines the limits and privileges of the licensure and certification as a mental health nurse specialist.
The objectives were:
- To assess mental health nurse specialist practice in accordance with the competencies for mental health nurse specialist practice and the WPSEAR competencies.
- To assess the specialized body of knowledge for mental health nurse specialist practice.
- To establish route to expand scope and competencies through post-diploma or Master's degree within the mental health nurse specialist scope.
- To establish examination of the credentialing process for mental health nurse specialists.
Mental Health nursing development - innovative approaches to meeting the current and future challenges of practice and consumer needs. This project is part of a series of consultancies and professional commitments by Kevin Kellehear one of our faculty members in mental health nursing and service development in Samoa since 1995. Kevin has also been involved in regional work in other Western Pacific nations 1990-2008.