A Clinician’s Survival Guide to Mental Health Nursing

Introduction

Section 1

This section will include chapters which explore the core principles of mental health nursing and philosophical perspectives which have influenced its development. These will include recovery, person centred practice, co-production and values-based practice. We will examine how ethical principles shape practice and are informed by professional accountability and the NMC code. The emphasis will be on the features of these influential frameworks and how they apply to mental health nursing practice. This will be considered alongside personal values and motivations and how this may impact on decision making.

Chapter 1 – Core principles of mental health nursing

Chapter 2 – Values and ethics for mental nursing practice

Chapter 3 – Personal and professional values applied to mental health nursing practice

Section 2

This section will offer a contemporary guide to the nursing process applied to mental health nursing practice. It will offer quick reference content to inform the approach and potential actions open to the MH nurse working within a range of settings. Emphasis will be given to maximising opportunity for recovery orientated practice and reflection will be encouraged around the potential challenges and limitations encounter.

Chapter 1 – case management (maximising 1:1 working)

Chapter 2 – assessment and formation

Chapter 3 – evidence-based interventions and approaches for mental health problems across the lifespan

Chapter 4 – reviewing care and measuring change

Chapter 5 – promoting safety and minimising harm (risk assessment, safeguarding, therapeutic risk taking)

Chapter 6 – promoting physical healthcare and identifying deterioration (SBAR & NEWS)

Section 3

The way in which organisational structures and multidisciplinary team working influences mental health nursing practice will be the focus of this section. Information to support the practitioner to negotiate and navigate these issues will be included in relations to teamworking, leadership and decision making.

Chapter 1 – Working effectively in teams

Chapter 2 – Share decision making

Chapter 3 – Being leaderly and having influence (organisational culture)

Section 4

The final section will focus on careers and continuing professional development in mental health practice. It will explore the implications of mental health practice on personal wellbeing and consider strategies to attend to selfcare. The complex process of transition within professional roles will be critically discussed with some essential hints and tips from registered nurses on how to approach this with a growth mindset. Finally, the career pathways and opportunities available to mental health nurses will be explored through some case studies of established mental health nurses to enable practitioner to plan professional development.

Chapter 1 – Personal wellbeing

Chapter 2 – Transition in roles

Chapter 3 – Professional development and career pathways

Conclusion