15 June 2020
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Mental health in regional areas is a “massive’’ issue, says Tracey Kirkham, a Registered Nurse at the Edenfield Family Care Ramsay aged care facility in Port Augusta.
She believes the drug abuse epidemic could see an influx of younger people needing ongoing care.
It’s one of the reasons why Tracey intends to pursue a Masters degree in mental health nursing.
Tracey is one of seven successful applicants to be awarded an ANMF (SA Branch) Mental Health Nursing Start-Up Scholarship, which funds the full cost of three modules studied through ANMEC.
ANMF (SA Branch) has teamed up with Flinders University to make it easier than ever for nurses to transition into post-graduate studies in mental health, among a range of other specialties.
This initiative provides nurses with more streamlined access to post-graduate studies at Flinders University by enabling them to springboard from a related Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course at our Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC).
“I’d like to work towards a change to mental health as a career so I know I would need to get tertiary qualifications,’’ Tracey says.
“I’ve been a nurse for 30 odd years, I have seen and experienced a lot, it’s (mental health) just a massive, massive area of need; funding, staffing, everything.’’
Tracey says the mental health issues at her aged care facility are primarily dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
“I guess just growing older and moving into a facility, that’s really challenging for people, to leave your home,’’ she says.
“We do have some people with addictions, so there’s behavioural issues around that and mental health needs.’’ she says.
“You have to look after your mental health. It kind of drives everything else really.’’
To take advantage of the ANMF (SA Branch)-Flinders University mental health partnership, please complete the
Expression of Interest and our administration team will be in contact with you.