TY - JOUR
T1 - Access courses and their contribution to the widening participation agenda in the UK: A sustainable and long- term strategy to address mental health nursing shortages?
AU - Haslam, Michael
AU - FLYNN, ANITA
AU - CONNOR, KAREN
PY - 2021/5/26
Y1 - 2021/5/26
N2 - Reasons for mental health nursing shortages in the UK are many and complex. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to fill vacant posts, while at the same time negatively impacting on the UK's international recruitment strategy. Whereas international recruitment is essential to reduce workforce shortages, it offers only a short-term solution and potentially leaves lower-income countries with increased nursing shortages themselves. This article considers that a long-term domestic approach to recruitment is needed to reduce future workforce deficits. It is argued that benefits of access courses are increased if delivered by the university directly, as a familiarity with systems, the campus and supportive networks are promoted, and the potential for targeted support is increased. Further research is needed to establish the benefits, but access courses delivered this way may provide a more sustainable solution to nursing workforce shortages in the UK and beyond
AB - Reasons for mental health nursing shortages in the UK are many and complex. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to fill vacant posts, while at the same time negatively impacting on the UK's international recruitment strategy. Whereas international recruitment is essential to reduce workforce shortages, it offers only a short-term solution and potentially leaves lower-income countries with increased nursing shortages themselves. This article considers that a long-term domestic approach to recruitment is needed to reduce future workforce deficits. It is argued that benefits of access courses are increased if delivered by the university directly, as a familiarity with systems, the campus and supportive networks are promoted, and the potential for targeted support is increased. Further research is needed to establish the benefits, but access courses delivered this way may provide a more sustainable solution to nursing workforce shortages in the UK and beyond
U2 - 10.12968/bjmh.2021.0030
DO - 10.12968/bjmh.2021.0030
M3 - Other (journal)
SN - 2049-5919
VL - 11
JO - British Journal of Mental Health Nursing
JF - British Journal of Mental Health Nursing
IS - 1
ER -