Apply for credentialing
Become a recognised specialist nurse
The ACMHN Credential is the only nationally consistent standard for recognition of specialist mental health nurses. A Credentialed Mental Health Nurse is a specialist nurse who has demonstrated meeting the credentialing criteria in relation to:
How to apply
All applications for credentialing are submitted online through the Credentialing for Nurses portal. Applications are processed by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and peer reviewed by a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse.
Before you start
You will need to download copies of the C4N qualification framework and the C4N professional application guidelines to ensure you meet the criteria and are ready to apply. The information in the Guidelines will help you assess if you are ready to proceed with your application.
Credentialing criteria
To meet the requirements and standards for the Mental Health Nurse Credential, you must demonstrate that you:
Next steps
Please follow the steps below the get your credentialing application underway:
Application documents
C4N qualification framework
This recognises that there have been different pathways over the years by which a registered nurse can undertake educational preparation for specialist nursing practice. There are three pathways included in this framework and each specialty organisation has nominated the pathways that they will accept
Benefits
The Australian health care environment is changing, with reforms happening across the sector. Governments are looking for efficient and innovative ways to provide treatment and care, and credentialing is increasingly recognised as a means to identify qualified mental health nurses to provide such care.
If you choose to get credentialed, future employers will know that you complete your work to the highest standard, giving you a competitive advantage in application processes. Credentialing:
Enables
access to a small number of Medicare Benefits Schedule items depending on client eligibility
Provides
formal recognition of skills and experience
Fosters
a sense of personal achievement
Reinforces
the importance and value of mental health nursing roles amongst the medical community and public
Reassures
the public and clients that mental health nurses have advanced and specialist skills
Strengthens
Workforce through overarching professional standards and consistency
Fees
A non-refundable application processing payment will be required at the time of submitting your application.
* If you are applying as a member, you will be required to upload evidence of your current membership. Please ensure you have a copy of your receipt, or written acknowledgement from the College.
** Please note this is an application fee only, and does not entitle you to membership to the College. To be eligible for the discounted member application fee for credentialing, please ensure you become a member first.
Once you have submitted payment, you will receive a receipt from PayPal indicating payment to Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Incorporated.
New application
Re-credentialing
Use the CMHN logo
Once credentialed, you can use the CMHN logo on your signature block or business card.
To be sent the logo, please email the College to request the rules and guidelines document and agreement form. Once you have read the rules and guidelines document, sign and return by email the agreement form.