Rob Leerentveld

Tell us about your career so far in the mental health sector.

Over the last 40 years, I have worked in a variety of settings (in-patient and community), holding various positions. I commenced my psychiatric training in 1985 at Baillie Henderson Hospital (hospital-based training) and worked for 12 months in the then admission and medium security unit before relocating to Rockhampton to undertake my General Nurse training. Following qualification, I worked in a combined neuro-surgical unit and then returned to the Acute Mental Health Unit as a Registered Nurse. I first qualified as a Nurse Practitioner Mental Health in 2008 and currently work in the Acute Care Team Mental Health.

What made you choose a career in mental health? 

An interest in people, an enquiring mind and the opportunity to work with families/carers and other agencies. The ability to make a difference through engagement, respect and mutual goals to enhance health outcomes for individuals experiencing mental illness.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role? 

Autonomy, team dynamics, diversity of presenting clinical presentations, respect and inclusion.

What do you find most challenging about your current role?

Meeting expectations of both consumers and family members.

What does a typical day for you look like? 

My day commences assuming a senior clinical role to conduct case reviews of previous clinical assessments or initial assessments and reviews of consumers either in the clinic or in people’s homes. I usually engage with services and various clinicians, including psychiatrist and other members of the multidisciplinary team. I often have to attend clinical scenarios with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) or the Queensland Ambulance Sercive (QAS) and occasionally provide watch house reviews.

On any given day I can be between the Glass House Mountains and north of Noosa providing Nurse Practitioner led assessments, interventions and treatments. I often engage and provide support to the mental health co-responder teams for both QAS (QAS-CORE) or co-responder QPS (PACER). The primary purpose of a Nurse Practitioner Mental Health is to provide rapid assessment and time crucial treatment to assist avoiding hospitalisation.

What are 3 misconceptions you believe people have about working in the mental health sector?

1. That it is a violent workplace.
2. That it provides a limited career pathway.
3. That there is a lack of workplace satisfaction.

What advice would you give to people who are interested in working in mental health?

Talk to the staff who work in the sector, and take the opportunities to experience the diversity of mental health nursing. The work is challenging; however, more than often very rewarding.

Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share?

How do you unwind? Pickleball obviously!