4 Year Nursing Degree Programme (BSc Cur) Mental Health Nursing
NU3P07 -Clinical Risk Assessment and Management in Mental Health Nursing (5 ECTS)
Learning Outcomes
Following completion of this module the student should be able to:
- Display an understanding of the practice of risk assessment and management in mental health care and the MHN role in this process
- Illustrate the general principles of risk assessment and management and how these can be utilised across a wide range of mental health problems
- Describe a range of risk factors for different risk events and illustrate how these might be associated with voluntary and involuntary admission to, and discharge from, mental health facilities in Ireland
- Examine models of managing risk and the role of the MHN in this process
- Reflect upon the legal and ethical implications of risk assessment and ways of managing risk in MHSUs so that they can be more involved in this process
Module Learning Aims
This module has been developed to assist mental health nursing students enhance their knowledge of risk
assessment and management when working with users of mental health services. The curriculum will introduce
students to the general principles of risk assessment and management, evidence based practice in this area
and issues relating to defining key concepts such as risk, risk factor, risk assessment and risk management. We
will examine risk in the context of mental health problems and also explore the complexity of managing risk in
mental healthcare. The role of the mental health nurse in the process of risk assessment and risk management
of service users in a recovery context will also be examined.
The module will also examine ethical concerns in managing risk especially in relation to negative attitudes and
organisational practices that can increase risk, paternalism and autonomy and service user input into risk and
assessment and management.
Recommended Reading List
- Barker P (Ed) (2009): Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. The craft of caring 2nd Edition, Hodder Arnold – especially Chapters 21, 22, 26, 48, 61, 62 and 71
- Callaghan P, Payle J and Cooper L (eds) (2009): Mental Health Nursing Skills Oxford University Press especially Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
- Duffy, D., Doyle, M. and Ryan, T. (2004) Risk assessment and management in acute mental health care in M.
- Harrison, D. Howard & D. Mitchell (eds), (2004) Acute mental health nursing, from acute concerns to capable practitioner. London: Sage.
- Doyle, M. (1997). “Clinical Risk Assessment for Mental Health Nurses.” Nursing Times, 94 (17), pp 47- 49
- Faulker, A. (2004) Strategies for surviving acute care in M. Harrison, D. Howard & D. Mitchell (eds), (2004)
- Acute mental health nursing, from acute concerns to capable practitioner. London: Sage.
- Higgins, A. Morrissey, J. Doyle, L. Bailey, J. Gill, A. (2015) Best Practice Principles for Risk Assessment and Safety Planning for Nurses working in Mental Health Services. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
- Higgins, A., Doyle, L., Downes, C., Nash, M., Morrissey, J., Brennan, M. & Costello, P. (2015) Risk assessment and safety planning within mental health nursing services: an exploration of practices, policies and processes. Dublin: Health Service Executive
- Morrissey, J. Keogh, B. Doyle, L. (eds) (2008) Psychiatric mental health nursing: An Irish Perspective. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan.
- Norman, I. and Ryie, I. (eds) (2009) The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing: A Textbook of Principles and Practice 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill Open University Press especially Chapters 11, 33 and 34
- Quirk, A. and Lelliott, P. (2004) User’s experience of inpatient services in P. Campling, S. Davies and G.
- Farquharson (eds), From toxic institutions to therapeutic environments, residential settings in mental health services. Glasgow: The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- Morgan, S. (1998). “Assessing and Managing Risk. Practitioner’s Handbook.” Brighton, Pavilion Publishing Ltd.
* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.