New nurses seek mental health and addictions careers

The Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS) has welcomed 13 new nurses to its specialist training programme.

The New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP) programme equips graduate and registered nurses for a career in mental health, addictions and intellectual disability services.

It involves clinical workplace learning, theory teaching at Whitireia New Zealand, and online and self-directed learning. It also guarantees NESP-registered nurses an additional year – working with a mentor – to assimilate into the role without the distraction of academic study.

“The programme reflects the need to be mindful of future workforce requirements in mental health, addictions and intellectual disability nursing,” said MHAIDS general manager Nigel Fairley.

“We know many nurses will retire within the next five-10 years, and this programme helps bridge that gap by bringing in new staff under the guidance and mentorship of current experienced nurses.”

The intake brings the total number of nurses in the programme to 35, with recruitment having now commenced for a further 25 NESP nurses to start in February.