1. A Joint Partnership of Southern Synergy

2.  Experience of “solo” candidates  Smaller pool of staff in rural/regional areas  Fewer opportunities to advance career  Interest from potential NPCs  Funding requirement to provide a professional development and support program  Partnerships within the training cluster (Synergy)

3.  To improve career opportunities for skilled nursing staff  To develop and support a critical mass of NPCs  To identify nurses with suitable competencies and attributes, within the cluster organisations, to become NPCs and undertake a PD program  To further develop the NP role, within the cluster organisations, to enable the long term sustainability of advanced roles within services

4.  Discussion within the cluster  Development of a submission for further funding  Support from 4 cluster services  Task Group established to identify resources and develop the program  Content identified

5.  Educational content ◦ advanced assessment, physical health, medico-legal, prescribing  Case studies  Peer supervision and support  An adjunct to university study  Internal study day program only (no advanced standing)  Access to mentors and opportunity to engage in consultations etc. ◦ difficult to get mentors and clinical supervision in rural areas

6. Participants First day of the program

7.  NPCs and those working towards an NPC position  Employer supported ◦ participants must have Manager and SPN approval ◦ a way for employers to support candidates in their NP goals  Range of backgrounds ◦ ED, CL, Child and Youth, Dual Diagnosis, Community, Inpatient Adult, Aged  Must be motivated, prepared, actively participate

8. NPC Resource Folder  program outline  prof. development  leadership plan  learning plan  professional portfolio  log book  NPS and RADAR  CPGs  useful reports  ANMC Competencies Texts  AMH 2010  TG Psychotropic Version 6  Clinical Primer in Psychiatry (Castle & Bassett 2010)  “H Prime” on-line web link, resource sharing and discussion board Web resources

9.  Pre and post evaluation ◦ Participant ◦ Service level

10.  Opportunity to harness motivated and skilled nurses  An adjunct to Masters, the NP Collaborative  A way for services to support their candidates locally  Support rural services  A requirement for the funding of candidates in this round  Develop a critical mass  More endorsed MHNPs