Mental Health Nurse Credential

The Mental Health Nurse Credential recognises the skills, expertise and experience of nurses who are practicing as specialist Mental Health Nurses. It demonstrates to employers, professional colleagues, patients and carers that an individual nurse has achieved the professional standard for practice in mental health nursing. The Credential also increases awareness of the contribution Mental Health Nurses make to the mental health of the community.

Credentialing is a core component of clinical/professional governance or self regulation where members of a profession set standards for practice and establish a minimum requirement for entry, continuing professional development, endorsement and recognition.

Registered nurses working in specialised fields and other disciplines have developed credentialing as a means to ensure standards of practice and competence within their specialist domain beyond entry to practice.

The Credential for Practice Program is an initiative of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and has established the only national consistent recognition for specialist Mental Health Nurses.

Mental Health Nurse Credential Criteria

If you are a registered nurse practising within the mental health field in Australia, you may apply to be credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse. If your application is approved, you will be awarded a Credential that is valid for 3 years. The award means you are formally recognised by the ACMHN as a specialist mental health nurse and are entitled to use the title Mental Health Nurse (MHN).

To gain a credential, applicants must demonstrate that they:

• Hold a current licence to practice as a registered nurse within Australia

• Hold a recognised specialist / post graduate mental health nursing qualification or equivalent

• Have had at least 12 months experience since completing specialist / postgraduate qualification OR have three years experience as a registered nurse working in mental health

• Have been practicing within the last three years

• Have acquired minimum continuing professional development points for education and practice

• Are supported by two professional referees

• Have completed a professional declaration agreeing to uphold the standards of the profession.