The post-graduate: How and why to take mental health nurses to the next level

Nurses worldwide understand the importance of education and lifelong learning to maintain the highest standard of evidence-based practice (McMaster et al., 2018). An undergraduate degree is the expected minimum educational requirement for registered nurses in most developed countries, with post-graduate education recommended for those seeking to advance their practice (Ojewales & Oluwatosin, 2017). In some specialty areas of practice, post-graduate qualifications are essential (Wilkinson et al., 2018). While many low- to middle-income countries struggle to overcome structural and economic challenges to implement the recommended standards for registered nurse training and education (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017), all nations agree on the need for focused development to ensure nursing education and training matches the needs of health systems, current and anticipated needs worldwide (WHO, 2022a). In this column, we consider the advantages of post-graduate education in the context of the mental health nursing profession. We also discuss the composition of post-graduate degrees for mental health nurses and the barriers to registered nurses undertaking post-graduate study in mental health. Finally, we ponder the future of post-graduate studies for mental health nurses worldwide.