The evidence suggests that psychiatry ranks lowly in comparison with other areas of nursing in terms of undergraduate students preferred areas of work. This finding has remained consistent for over 30 years. There is some research, however, that suggests that attitudes towards mental health nursing may be improved through more education and longer clinical placements. More research with rigorous designs needs to be conducted before firmer conclusions can be drawn. Furthermore, research is needed on
the impact of changes in attitudes on the behaviours of nursing graduates. That is, investigations are needed to establish whether more positive attitudes towards mental health nursing translates into more nursing graduates applying for mental health nursing positions, improved working relationships between mental health nurses and those in other nursing specialties and better care for consumers with mental health conditions throughout healthcare organisations.