Mental Health Nursing Skills
Over the course of their studies the mental health student nurse will be taught both interpersonal / communication and physical healthcare skills.
Interpersonal / Communication Skills
Year 1
As communication is a fundamental component of all recovery orientated therapeutic interventions in mental health nursing and is essential for the delivery of quality nursing care, the clinical skills sessions (24 contact hours) focus on the application of psychotherapeutic skills drawing on Heron’s (2001) six category intervention analysis communication framework and Rogers (1961) person centered humanistic approach. The interpersonal verbal and non-verbal communication skills taught at this level focus on active listening, displaying empathy, questioning, paraphrasing, observation and holistic, collaborative assessment.
Year 2
Through the use of scenario based critical incident analysis the students’ examine the different psychotherapeutic frameworks / approaches commonly used in mental health care when working with service users, families and groups who are experiencing mental health problems/ distress.
Year 3
Through the use of role play, students are given the opportunity to discuss the dynamics / process involved in facilitating groups and to practice group facilitation skills by means of role-play. They are also provided with opportunities for experiential learning on the hearing voices experience, and case study analysis of risk assessment, coping skills and family psychoeducation.
Post-graduate (M.Sc in Mental Health, Psychosocial Interventions Strand)
Through the use of self assessed video recorded role play, students are given the opportunity to practice advanced interpersonal communication skills based on the Maastricht Interview guide (Escher and Romme,2000).
Teaching and Learning Methods Used
Experiential learning methods: brainstorming, paired exercises (skills rehearsal),video analysis and role play.
Physical Care Skills Mental Health Nursing
There is a growing body of evidence that individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) suffer serious physical ill health. To provide comprehensive competent care for mental health service users, the following skills are taught;
Year 1
Shared
- Moving and Handling
- Basic Life Support
- Hand Hygiene/Infection Control
- Aseptic Technique & Catheterisation
Clinical Assessment Skills
- Vital Signs (Reference to Early Warning Score)
- Urinalysis /Toileting/ Enemas/ Suppositories
- Eating & Drinking/ BMI/ Blood Glucose Monitoring
- Respiratory Therapy (Peak Flow, Pulse Oximetry, Suctioning, Nebuliser Therapy, Airway Adjuncts, Oxygen Therapy, Sputum Collection)
- Neurological Observations
Personal Care
- Personal & Oral Hygiene, Bed Making
- Medication Management (Oral, Sub-Cutaneous, Intramuscular)
- IV Therapy & Subcutaneous Fluids
- Discipline Specific
- MAPA (Management of Actual & Potential Aggression)
- Recognising Mental Distress / Illness (Care of the pt. pre during and post ECT)
Year 2
- Caring for Persons with Physical Ill Health
- Use of a Physical Health Assessment (Three Systems Approach): Scenario Based
- Blood Glucose Management
Year 3
- Manual Handling Refresher
- Basic Life Support
- MAPA Refresher
- Hand hygiene Refresher
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy feeding
Student Nurse Teaching in the Practice Placement
Year 1
The clinical nurse tutor visits the 45 students one a one to one basis who are placed in St. Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin South East MHS, Kildare South West Wicklow MHS, Wicklow MHS and Dublin West South West MHS. The tutor consolidates the learning of one skill that has been taught in the skills laboratory prior to the student’s first clinical placement by observing the student demonstrate the skill. A psychotherapeutic skills workshop is also facilitated during this placement.
Year 2
Mental health scenario based workshop on the NEWS.
Year 3
Intramuscular injection administration & Rapid Tranquilisation
Year 4
Mental health scenario based workshop on ECG & NEWS