Letters

Mental Health Nursing,  Jul 2003  

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MHNA: "One for all, and all for one"

There is ample history of the development of the CPNA as a representative body for community mental health nurses, both in the leadership and reflection of the evolution of mental health nursing in community settings outside of what was the traditional focus of care: in-patient units and hospitals.

Finally, the association has taken the step that many within the organisation have previously resisted. The association is now in a position, through a name change, to broaden its focus to represent the whole of the mental health nursing profession without barriers.

The Mental Health Nurses Association (MHNA), is, like its predecessor, both a professional body and a union, with representation through its active membership.

For it to represent truly, all mental health nurses there must be active participation of all mental health nurses. Part of the reason for writing in Mental Health Nursing, is to urge all current members to recruit, and to recruit active and motivated members from all areas of in-patient/ residential care, who are willing to take a leading role in representing their colleagues in mental health nursing.

We continue to face wave upon wave of change in mental health. We liken the skills needed to cope with this flood to those needed in surfing, taking each wave as it comes, surfing one way and then the other with the odd pirouette as you struggle not to get sucked under.

To drive forward our own agenda, development and growth in membership we proudly boast our very own wave to ride. We appeal to all members to take responsibility for recruitment in your area, by arranging a dialogue with mental health nurses in residential areas to promote and endorse membership of MHNA.

We have changed our name and are embarking on a change of culture. Let us work towards creating an association for all mental health nurses, and in turn empower those who receive our services by removing the barriers that have divided us. Let us unite.

MHNA Campaign and Representation Group

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Jul 2003
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