Masters in Mental Health Nursing create career opportunities for registered nurses, both within nursing and beyond. Enjoy a flexible online course designed for working professionals.
A Master of Mental Health Nursing is a pathway for nurses to become a credentialed mental health nurse. Students in these programs range from recent nursing graduates to nurses with significant prior experience in the field.
By completing this specialised program, you will learn how to support people suffering from mental illness. Students examine issues Australians commonly face, evidence-based approaches to treatment, and how to help clients in different healthcare settings.
Study for Your Degree Online
If you study for a Master of Mental Health Nursing online, you can choose to maintain a full-time job. Online courses are available that are part-time and 100% online. What's more, they're designed with working professionals in mind.
SCU Online - Master of Mental Health Nursing
The Master of Mental Health Nursing from Southern Cross University is accredited with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. As a graduate, you're eligible to be an accredited mental health nurse. The affordable, 100% online course is open to Registered Nurses (Division 1). You can expect a smooth learning journey with SCU Online. Each of the 12 subjects takes less than 2 months of study. You can complete the part-time program in under 2 years. Topics include appraising evidence, acute mental health, supporting behavioural change, and leadership in clinical practice.
Are Mental Health Nurses In Demand in Australia?
Yes, there is strong and rising demand for nurses who specialise in mental health in Australia. The demand for these professionals is increasing alongside a growing need for psychological support services.
Factors contributing to high demand include an aging population, improving standards of care, and an increase in the number of people reporting psychological issues. An estimated 14,100 registered nurses (RN's) currently work in mental health, a number which is expected to significantly increase.
It's been estimated that 17.5% of Australians aged 16-85 years see a mental health professional each year. The most common psychological illnesses experienced are anxiety, mood disorders (such as depression) and substance use disorders.
The average salary of a registered mental health nurse is $90,580 per year based on data from au.indeed.com, which is 10% more than the $82,334 earned by RN's on average.
Graduating with a master's degree could open up tremendous career opportunities. You could, for example, work as a credentialed mental health nurse, case worker, nurse coordinator, liaison clinician, school nurse, or healthcare services manager.
Job Opportunities
Snippets from jobs ads. Random sample.
Clinical Nurse (Mental Health Clinician) – Queensland Government
Metro South Health is Australia's first digital health service and one of the largest in Queensland. You will (a) manage an allocated workload to deliver mental health services, including assessment, intervention and evaluation within a multidisciplinary team (b) use evidence-based practice and ethical standards under clinical practice supervision or professional guidance of senior staff (c) manage an appropriate caseload, including clinical and non-clinical responsibilities and maintaining accurate patient records.
Registered Nurse – Western NSW Local Health District
You will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team within the Manara Unit for Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services, providing care for non-acute long term rehabilitation consumers. WNSWLHD is the largest employer in the region, with over 7,700 dedicated staff working across 3 major rural referral hospitals, 50 community health centres, and 38 inpatient facilities.
Clinician - Mental Health – BounceBack
No two days will be the same! You will be required to provide care coordination and evidence-based psychological interventions for young people (aged 12 to 25) and their families. You will complete comprehensive screening and assessment of young people and their families, and provide both short-term and longer-term (up to 12 months) interventions as part of an integrated team.
Clinical Nurse Consultant - (Mental Health Worker) – Queensland Government
As the Clinical Nurse Consultant, you will use your specialist knowledge and experience in rural community mental health to ensure best practice health outcomes for clients. You will be an expert at positively engaging, motivating and mentoring team members. If you are passionate about providing quality healthcare services in a rural setting, please apply.
Youth Mental Health Clinician – Uniting
For Headspace program consumers - young people 12 to 25 years old. The Youth Mental Health Clinician delivers individual psychological therapy and interventions to young people, along with suitable group work programs where appropriate. The role aims to increase availability and facilitate access to evidence-based treatment for people with, or at risk of, mental illness. Essential: Tertiary qualifications in Mental Health Nursing, Nursing, Psychology Social Work or Occupational Therapy, with registration or eligibility of respective professional body.
Registered Nurse - Mental Health – Queensland Government
The RN provides evidenced-based individual patient care. You will assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care in collaboration with individual clients and the multidisciplinary health care team. This position will require nurses to undertake manual handling tasks. Required: Clinical knowledge in the area of mental health. Commitment to completing formal mental health nursing qualifications.
Assistant Director of Nursing, Adult Community Mental Health Services – ACT Government Health
The position is situated within Adult Community Mental Health Services (ACMHS). This Senior Manager role will oversee the day-to-day operations and input into the strategic development and planning for the ACMHS program. Desirable: Experience managing teams in the mental health services community or inpatient sector. Post graduate qualifications in a related field.
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Queensland Government
The Clinical Nurse Consultant (Clinical Coordinator) will use clinical mental health knowledge and skill to deliver therapeutic intervention to prison consumers who do not reach the threshold for Prison Mental Health Services, thus contributing positively to the lived experience of patients in a Correctional setting. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate knowledge, skills, expertise and experience in contemporary clinical practice related to the assessment, treatment and care of people with psychological problems.
Mental Health Consultation Liaison Clinician – ACT Government Health
Registered Nurse Level 3 Grade 1. The Mental Health Consultation Liaison Service provides an integrated, acute mental health service within the Emergency Department and General and Medical wards of the Canberra Hospital. You will be required to undertake complex psychological assessments and work as a senior clinician within a multi-disciplinary team.
