Overview of the RNAO Nurse Educator Mental Health and Addiction Resource

The purpose of the RNAO Nurse Educator Mental Health and Addiction Resource is primarily to support educators with effectively integrating mental health and addiction knowledge and skills into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. The resource is based on the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses (CFMHN) Entry- to-Practice Mental Health and Addiction Competencies for Undergraduate Nursing Education in Canada (2015) and supporting research. Each section of the resource has been intentionally aligned with the competencies. Please see Appendix A for a chart showing this alignment. Integration of core concepts, competencies and best practices found in this resource will raise the profile of psychiatric and mental health practices for nurses as an essential component and integral part of holistic person-and family-centred care across all sectors.

As such this resource is also relevant to nurse educators working in clinical environments to support nursing students, new graduate nurses and other nurses in integrating best practices related to mental health and addiction. Other beneficiaries of this resource include nursing students, nurses, other health care providers, and, ultimately, the person and their family receiving care.