Will We Be Ready? Preparing Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses for Future Practice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the challenges and issues facing educators as they prepare the psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nursing workforce to meet the needs of future practice. METHODS: Based on the author’s 40-plus-year career as an educator, clinician, and researcher, combined with a review of the literature, this article analyzes the current educational milieu for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education of PMH nurses, including urgent educational priorities. It also offers recommendations to meet the needs of PMH nurses both in education and in clinical practice. RESULTS: PMH nursing education must evolve to provide nursing experiences in nontraditional as well as traditional clinical settings, and incorporate simulation and telehealth/digital/mobile platforms for delivery of content. Development of qualified faculty members and preceptors who represent the diversity of the American population must be addressed to adequately train PMH nurses to meet the demands of their future roles. Methods must also be created to define, teach, and evaluate PMH nurses’ clinical competencies pre- and postclinical experiences. CONCLUSIONS: PMH nursing education must evolve and transform to attract, appropriately educate and prepare students for practice, and meet the growing need for qualified practitioners as well as faculty members and preceptors.