Improving patient outcomes in mental health nursing

Elliot Booth always knew he’d end up in healthcare. 

“My mum is a doctor, and my dad is a renal nurse, so I always knew that I was cut out for the health industry” he says. 

Now a mental health nurse at The Alfred, he originally intended to study medicine and become a doctor. However, after completing a community placement with a mental health facility he knew that mental health was an area he wanted to pursue. 

“I thought it was an opportunity to use my communication skills, and my ability to interact with people to improve patient outcomes” he says. 

Only just completing his master’s degree in mental health nursing last November, Elliot is still thinking about what area he will specialise in. 

“I’ve always been passionate about addictions, and it’s where I’ll probably specialise too” he says. 

Elliot believes his skills are aligned with caring for these types of vulnerable patients. 

“It’s an issue that needs to be addressed, and I want to look into the services we can provide to those patients in need” he says. 

To sum it up, Elliot says the reason he enjoys working in mental health is to ultimately improve patient outcomes.