This one and a half year full-time program is designed to provide an advanced understanding of the theories, legislation, policies and standards that underpin specialist mental health care. Through your studies and supervised practice, you'll develop the knowledge, skills and attitude required to succeed as a mental health nurse in contemporary practice.

You'll develop practical skills that promote safe nursing practice and management of risk in a clinical setting. You'll also gain a comprehensive understanding of a variety of evidence-based interventions and the theoretical principles that underpin these practices.

You'll study in a flexible environment that respects your professional commitments. The program is structured so you can work at your own pace and includes both a program of reading and practical tasks designed to put the theory into practice. Through the program, you'll complete 200 hours of supervised clinical practice, which will occur within your work setting in mental health and support you in developing specialist mental health nursing skills.

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

• Mental health nurse
• Intake/triage mental health nurse
• Mental health liaison and education nurse
• Forensic/correctional mental health nurse
• Mental health community nurse
• Mental health acute care nurse
• Paediatric mental health nurse

Professional memberships

When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.

• Australian College of Mental Health Nurses