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.

Applicants must:

• Be a nurse currently working in a public mental health service in NSW.
• Have in principle agreement from their own organisation to participate.
• Be able to complete the Mentorship experience between May and July 2023.
• Develop a plan identifying the mental health experiencessought through the placement.
• Articulate their objectivesin undertaking the Mentorship and how these relate to current employment and career goals.

• Up to 20 grants will be awarded.
• The Program Steering Committee will determine successful grant applications based on the applicants current work location, mental health experience and submitted application information (priority may be weighted towards mental health nurses identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, those working in rural/remote areas and/or new to mental health nursing).
• Successful applicants will be personally notified in April 2023.

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.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:

• Work with a Mentor in a Local Health District (LHD) other than their own for up to 5 consecutive days.
• Be matched to a Mentor to pursue employment and career goals (mentors will be identified, and all attempts will be made to match applicants with Mentors based on experiencessought).
• Be placed with the assigned Mentor, in a service or facility which can best offer the experiences sought, including but not limited to an inpatient mental health unit or community-based service along with sub-specialty areas of Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services or Forensic Mental Health.
• Have their accommodation, meals and local travel expenses paid on a per diem daily rate.
• Have air/rail transport to the placement location paid.
• Have their position back-filled to a total of $1500 (GST inclusive) – paid directly to the employing LHD.
• The hosting LHD will also receive a small (GST inclusive) contribution to assist with the Mentoring costs.

NOTE: Continuity and terms/conditions of employment will be maintained throughout the placement by the LHD which is the usual employer, not the host organisation.

Selection will be undertaken by the Program Steering Committee after considering formal applications. The application form should include the following information:

• Education and work history.
• An outline of mental health areas of interest sought through the placement.
• Benefits of the experience to employment and career goals.
• Benefits of the experience to the mental health service. A realistic and achievable work plan, formulated between the Mentee and Mentor, will need to be documented and submitted to the Program Manager, by the Mentor, prior to commencement of the placement.

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. Simply use the Mentor Details Form or contact the Program Manager for more information.
Phone: Metro: (02) 8595 1234 Rural: 1300 367 962

To Apply
Please complete the Mentee / Mentor application form below and submit to mhmgrant@nswnma.asn.au.

• Mentee Application Form
• Mentor Application Form

Applications must be made via the official application form of the Bob Fenwick Mentoring Grants Program.

The grants must be expended in the year of application (successful applicants will undertake the placement within the first half of 2022).

Applications open 1 February and close 12 March 2023.

To ensure your application is received promptly, please scan and email the completed expression of interest application to: mhmgrant@nswnma.asn.au
Or Fax to: (02) 9662 1414
Or Post to: The Program Manager Bob Fenwick Mentoring Grants Program
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association
50 O’Dea Avenue Waterloo NSW 2017

If you are experiencing any difficulties with completing the application or any part thereof, please contact the Program Team prior to the closing date: 12 March 2023.

2019 ceremony

2017 ceremony

2013/14 ceremony