Keeping up with change in nursing

Mental Health Nursing,  Jan/Feb 2002  by Reed, Mandy

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Editorial

The world of mental health nursing has changed beyond recognition over the last three decades.

When the CPNA was formed in the 1970s there were basically two kinds of nurses - those working in the community and those on the wards. CPNs were regarded as a specialist group, often with a `them and us' relationship with their colleagues on the wards. CPN training courses were developed first in Manchester and later around the country to cater for this exciting new breed of nurses. The wards often became training grounds for nurses who were biding their time until a post `in the community' came up.

Now, however, there are so many environments that mental health nurses work in that the old distinction is no longer appropriate. Nurses have developed their skills and expertise in all areas of their work, with an array of courses available to match.

The name of this journal changed some years ago from CPNJ to MHN to reflect this growth in diversity among RMNs' places of work. For the past decade one of the aims of the Association has been to attract mental health nurses working in any kind of setting. Although the membership has begun to broaden out we are still considered elitist by many and not an obvious organisation to join by the majority of mental health nurses.

Talking to colleagues in ward areas reveals that they have often not heard of the CPNA or, if they have, assumed it is only open to CPNs to join. Clearly the message has not, therefore, been getting through and our intention to be an association for all mental health nurses must now be reflected in our name.

I, personally, believe that if we do not change our name now, the Association will lose a valuable opportunity to move into the real world of mental health nursing and the potential to significantly expand the membership base will be lost. The only reason to keep our name is that the abbreviation CPN still trips off the tongue more easily than any other job title an RMN may be employed under. This is not a valid argument for sticking our heads in the sand any longer, and I would encourage members to embrace these proposed changes positively and wholeheartedly

The Executive as a whole have, therefore, prepared two motions for the AGM in April, seeking agreement from the membership to formally start this process. If voted for, we plan to consult members widely over the following year with a view to adopting the new name from the AGM in 2003. 1 look forward to a lively debate on the subject in the correspondence section of Mental Health Nursing over forthcoming months and the opportunity to expand the issue in more detail. MHN

Mandy Reed

* Mandy Reed is the chair of the CPNA executive

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Jan/Feb 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved