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Aim: This review aims to identify the factors influencing the transition and retention of mental health nurses during the initial years of practice, recognize gaps in the literature and propose evidence-based strategies., Background: Mental health is a challenging specialty; recruitment, transition and retention of mental health nurses are known issues of concern., Evaluation: The present study undertakes a scoping review to identify factors influencing the transition and retention of mental health nurses during the initial years of practice and the gaps in that research domain. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases. To gain an understanding of the topic of interest, the review of the literature extended from 2000 to 2022., Key Issues: Existing evidence focuses on specific perspectives of transition. There is limited literature on factors influencing transition and retention among mental health nurses. Findings suggested that personal and professional factors could influence the transition and retention of mental health nurses during the initial years of practice. The main themes identified were personal attributes and professional factors with a number of subthemes., Conclusion: The scoping review identified only a few studies, which showed personal and professional factors related to the transition and retention of mental health nurses at the early stages of their career., Implications for Nursing Management: Potential benefits of effective transition and support with the understanding of factors influencing transition and retention of early career mental health nurses will enhance staff morale, sustainability of the workforce and better patient outcomes. Additionally, a few recommendations for nurse managers and leaders to improve transitional experiences and retention of early career nurses are highlighted., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Nursing Management published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Involving mental health consumers in nursing handover is a recent introduction to practise in acute mental health units. However, implementation must recognize that mental health care is complex and the approach needs to include recovery-focused philosophies of practice. Evidence shows that nurses and other health professionals consider poor handover practices may be the source of adverse events; however, the views of mental health nurses about involving consumers in nursing handover have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to identify nurses' attitudes towards consumer involvement in handover and to measure the effect of a training programme upon these attitudes. A single-group pre-post-test intervention study was undertaken. The study was conducted on the adult acute mental health inpatient unit of a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia, 2016-2017. Questionnaires were developed to capture the views of the nurses about proposed changes in the afternoon nursing handover process. A questionnaire was administered before and after the training intervention, an innovative, multi-media education handover package. We found that training had a significant influence on mental health nurses' attitudes towards involving consumers in the handover. Therapeutic engagement improved following training and miscommunication reduced when all players are informed and have the opportunity to engage with the information. This study has demonstrated that well-planned education can influence nurses' attitudes about involving consumers in the nursing handover processes., (© 2019 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)

The involvement of consumers in handover with nurses has been identified as reducing miscommunication and a reduction in adverse events in generalist nursing settings. Mental health (MH) care is complex, and handover practices need to fit with the philosophy of recovery-focussed practice. Recovery-focussed practice recognizes the person at the centre of care as an expert in their own treatment and decision-making. The aim of the present study was to explore the views of consumers with a mental illness, without prior involvement in nursing handover, about their need to be involved in nursing handover on an acute mental health inpatient unit. Using an exploratory descriptive, qualitative design (n = 11), participants who were receiving care in an acute inpatient unit were recruited using purposive convenience sampling. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants' diagnoses were schizophrenia (n = 6), bipolar affective disorder (n = 4), and depression (n = 1). Two themes emerged from the interviews: (i) behind closed doors; and (ii) being involved. Several subthemes were also identified. The first theme, behind closed doors, had two subthemes: (i) it is about us; and (ii) knowing their thoughts. The second theme had three subthemes: (i) clarifying issues; (ii) setting expectations; and (iii) when and how. Nursing handover on the acute inpatient unit offers a good opportunity for consumers to take an active role in the delivery of nursing care. There is a need to rethink the way nursing handover occurs to include consumers., (© 2017 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)

The concept of mental health recovery promotes collaborative partnership among consumers, carers and service providers. However views on mental health recovery are less explored among carers and service providers. The aim of this review was to analyse contemporary literature exploring views of mental health consumers, carers and service providers in relation to their understanding of the meaning of mental health recovery and factors influencing mental health recovery. The literature review questions were: How is mental health recovery and factors influencing mental health recovery viewed by consumers, carers and service providers? What are the differences and similarities in those perceptions? How can the outcomes and recommendations inform the Australian mental health practices? A review of the literature used selected electronic databases and specific search terms and supplemented with manual searching. Twenty-six studies were selected for review which included qualitative, mixed method, and quantitative approaches and a Delphi study. The findings indicated that the concept of mental health recovery is more explored among consumers and is seldom explored among carers and service providers. The studies suggested that recovery from mental illness is a multidimensional process and the concept cannot be defined in rigid terms. In order to achieve the best possible care, the stakeholders require flexible attitudes and openness to embrace the philosophy.

Background Mental health recovery is a prominent topic of discussion in the global mental health settings. The concept of mental health recovery brought about a major shift in the traditional philosophical views of many mental health systems. Aim The purpose of this article is to outline the results of a qualitative study on mental health recovery, which involved mental health consumers, carers and mental health nurses from an Area Mental Health Service in Victoria, Australia. This paper is Part One of the results that explored the meaning of recovery. Methods The study used van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenology to analyse the data. Findings Themes suggested that the cohort had varying views on recovery that were similar and dissimilar. The similar views were categorised under two processes involving the self, an internal process and an external process. These two processes involved reclaiming various aspects of oneself, living life, cure or absence of symptoms and contribution to community. The dissimilar views involved returning to pre-illness state and recovery was impossible. Conclusion This study highlights the need for placing importance on the person's sense of self in the recovery process.

Abstract Background Mental health recovery is a prominent topic of discussion in the global mental health settings. The concept of mental health recovery brought about a major shift in the traditional philosophical views of many mental health systems. Aim The purpose of this article is to outline the results of a qualitative study on mental health recovery, which involved mental health consumers, carers and mental health nurses from an Area Mental Health Service in Victoria, Australia. This paper is part one of the results that explored the meaning of recovery. Methods The study used van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenology to analyse the data. Findings Themes suggested that the cohort had varying views on recovery that were similar and dissimilar. The similar views were categorised under two processes involving the self, an internal process and an external process. These two processes involved reclaiming various aspects of oneself, living life, cure or absence of symptoms and contribution to community. The dissimilar views involved returning to pre-illness state and recovery was impossible. Conclusion This study highlights the need for placing importance to the person's sense of self in the recovery process.