The difficulty in attracting graduates of undergraduate nursing programsinto mental health remains a challenge for the field. Positive clinical experiencehas been identified as a potential strategy in encouraging students to regardmental health nursing positively. This paper reports the findings of a survey administeredto Undergraduate Nursing Students and Trainee Enrolled Nurses within themental health area. The purpose of the survey was to measure satisfaction with clinicalplacements within an Area Mental Health Service. The information providedfrom the survey is directing the on-going development of clinical placements, clinicalsupports, education programs and recruitment and retention initiatives fornurses within the Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service. The findings indicate agenerally high level of satisfaction with the clinical placement undertaken, howevera number of strategies to improve satisfaction with placements were identified.