Te Ao Maramatanga

Credentialing, Certification and Accreditation


The project                                          Frequently Asked Questions

The NZCMHN is undertaking a project to develop an accreditation and credentialing framework for mental health nurses.  Such frameworks are becoming increasingly common throughout the world, and are proving to be valuable tools in ensuring that the role and expertise of specialist mental health nurses are recognised.  New Zealandis in a good position to learn from the experience of other nursing jurisdictions, in developing a system of accreditation and credentialing that works for us.  

 

This project is being led by the New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses.  Heather Caseyand Frances Hughes are the contact people for this project.  

 For more information, please contact:

Heather.casey@southerndhb.govt.nz  
or
frances@hughes.org.nz 

Key messages  

  • The project, and its outcomes will be owned by the NZCMHN
  • The NZCMHN welcomes input into the accreditation and credentialing framework from members and mental health service providers and those that deliver education programmes and from other health professionals.
  • The project will be guided by the accreditation and credentialing reference group.
  • Accreditation is about standards for organisations and credentialing is about standards relating to individuals.
  • Accreditation and credentialing will be based on the existing standards of the NZCMHN.
  • A registered nurse can seek to be:
    • Certified – formally recognised as a mental health nurse through meeting the standards of the NZCMHN;
    • Credentialed – formally recognised by the NZCMHN as having the training and expertise to undertake certain discrete skills/ activities (e.g. assessing for competence under the PPPR act).

Nurses who receive certification and/or credentialing will be entitled to use one of the following titles after their names:  

  • CertMHN(NZ)
  • CertMHN
  • CMHN
  • CMHN(NZ) 

Copyright: Te Ao Maramatanga / New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, 2010    

ARTICLE:  Click here to view the recent article outlining the Credentialing Project in partnership with Procare PHO.

RESOURCE:  Supporting people with depression and anxiety - A Guide for Practice Nurses

REPORT:  ProCEED - Report of a study of practive care by practice nurses for people with depression and anxiety.  As a result of this UK study, the above resource was developed for Practice Nurses

LITERATURE REVIEW - Completed 2010 by Te Ao Maramatanga NZCMHN in conjuction with Ministry of Health

REFERENCE LIST RESOURCE

                                                           Frequently Asked Questions