Bob Fenwick Mentoring Grants Program

​What is it?

The Program aims to encourage less experienced mental health nurses to take the opportunity to be mentored by a more experienced colleague, assisting them to achieve their mental health professional practice goals.

It was developed in recognition of Bob Fenwick’s long service to mental health nursing and the important role he played in mentoring less-experienced mental health nurses.

The Program offers successful applicants the opportunity to:

• work with a mentor in a LHD other than their own for up to five consecutive days to pursue career and employment goals, for example, within an inpatient mental health unit, a community-based service, Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People or an Emergency Department
• have their air or rail transport, accommodation, meals and local travel expenses paid
• have their position back-filled up to a total of $1500, paid directly to the employing LHD (The hosting LHD will also receive a small contribution to assist with the mentoring costs).

Who can apply?

• Any registered nurse currently working in NSW public mental health services is eligible to apply.
• Mental health nurses with less than two years’ experience or working in NSW rural and remote areas as well as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander nurses currently working in mental health are all strongly encouraged to apply.

What will each mentoring grant include?

• Matching with a mentor in a Local Health District (LHD) other than their own for up to five consecutive days to pursue their mental health areas of interest.
• Being provided with travel, accommodation and meal allowance, while remaining a fully paid employee of their regular mental health service during their placement.
  

Seeking mentors for the Program

If you are a senior mental health nurse, you can help build the specialty of mental health nursing by nominating yourself to become a mentor. Contact the Program Manager for more information on mhmgrant@nswnma.asn.au​  or call 1300 367 962.