STANDARDS OF PRACTICE IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
(or how I operate)
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses specifies the minimum level of performance required for a registered nurse practising in and mental health setting.
The Standards of Practice are concerned with the performance of mental health nurses across a range of clinical environments and include professional knowledge, skills and attributes.​
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CPD activities unteraken and recorded within this portfolio will demonstrate how they align with the Standards of Practice.
Standard 1
The Mental Health Nurse acknowledges diversity in culture, values and belief systems and ensures his/her practice is nondiscriminatory
and promotes dignity and self-determination.​
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Standard 2
The Mental Health Nurse establishes collaborative partnerships that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to
participate in all aspects of their care.
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​Standard 3
​​The Mental Health Nurse develops a therapeutic relationship that is respectful of the individual’s choices, experiences and
circumstances. This involves building on strengths, holding hope and enhancing resilience to promote recovery.
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​Standard 4
The Mental Health Nurse collaboratively plans and provides ethically based care consistent with the mental, physical, spiritual,
emotional, social and cultural needs of the individual.
​Standard 5
The Mental Health Nurse values the contributions of other agencies and stakeholders in the collaborative provision of holistic,
evidence based care and in ensuring comprehensive service provision for people with mental health issues.
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​​Standard 6
The Mental Health Nurse actively pursues opportunities to reduce stigma and promotes social inclusion and community
participation for all people with mental health issues.
Standard 7
The Mental Health Nurse demonstrates evidence based practice and actively promotes practice innovation through lifelong
education, research, professional development, clinical supervision and reflective practice.
Standard 8
The Mental Health Nurse’s practice incorporates and reflects common law requirements, relevant statutes and the nursing
profession’s code of conduct and ethics. The Mental Health Nurse integrates international, national, local and state policies
and guidelines with professional Standards and competencies.
Standard 9
The Mental Health Nurse holds specialist qualifications and demonstrates advanced specialist knowledge, skills and practice,
integrating all the Standards competently and modelling leadership in the practice setting.
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