Attitudes Of Mental Health Nurses Research Articles

Factors associated with attitudes of mental health nurses towards the importance of families in mental health nursing care.

Family involvement in mental healthcare is a key ingredient in the recovery of patients with mental illness. Research on the attitudes of mental health nurses regarding family involvement in mental healthcare remains limited. This study aimed to examine factors that affect the attitudes of mental health nurses towards the importance of family involvement in mental health nursing care. A descriptive, correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted with 162 mental health nurses at two psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were applied to analyse data. Mental health nurses generally demonstrated positive attitudes towards incorporating families into nursing care. Older age, more clinical experiences in mental healthcare, and workplace (such as working in chronic psychiatric inpatient wards) were found to be key factors for mental health nurses' attitudes. Particularly, greater competence in working with families and job satisfaction were the most significant factors associated with positive attitudes of mental health nurses towards involving families as important in nursing care. Insight into correlates of mental health nurses' attitudes towards the importance of focusing on families in care is pivotal for targeted interventions to improve nurses' attitudes towards families and, thus, implement family engagement in mental healthcare practices.

Impacts of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on psychiatric nurses' spiritual care attitudes.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Because the definition of spirituality is complex and has cultural and individual dimensions, it is important to be receptive to individual differences in the perception of spirituality during clinical practice of mental health nurses. Although enhancing spiritual care is beneficial to patients diagnosed with mental illnesses, the extrinsic (e.g., education) and intrinsic factors that would affect nurses' attitudes towards spiritual care have not been investigated. Notwithstanding the known impact of certain intrinsic factors (e.g., personality-related) of mental health nurses on their coping strategies as well as their emotional and mental health, the link to their spiritual care attitudes has received little attention. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This paper is the first to identify the beneficial impacts of extrinsic factors including postgraduate education, working experience, participation in palliative care education programmes, and spiritual care experience on spiritual care attitudes among mental health nurses. Certain intrinsic factors, including those personality-related such as "Extraversion," "Openness/Intellect," "Conscientiousness," and "Agreeableness," were also associated with higher awareness of providing spiritual care among mental health nurses. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The finding of an association of certain intrinsic factors with more positive attitudes towards spiritual care could encourage further studies to explore possible links between these factors and attitudes of spiritual care. Those less aware of the patients' spiritual needs may benefit through participating in relevant education and on-the-job training programmes that involves actual practice and collaboration in a multidisciplinary team. ABSTRACT: Introduction Although enhancing spiritual care can facilitate the communication of mental health nurses with patients diagnosed with mental illnesses, extrinsic and intrinsic factors that may influence their spiritual care attitudes remain unclear. Aim To conduct a questionnaire-based survey on mental health nurses from eight hospitals. Method A total of 239 psychiatric nurses were assessed based on (1) "big-five Mini-Markers" questionnaire and (2) spiritual care attitudes scale on three components (i.e., core values, growth, and nursing) to investigate the associations of spiritual care attitudes with social/occupational characteristics and personality. Results A positive attitude was significantly associated with working experience, higher educational level, previous participation in palliative care education programmes, spiritual care experience, and personality factors including "Extraversion," "Openness/Intellect," "Conscientiousness," and "Agreeableness." Discussion Despite demonstrating impacts of intrinsic factors (e.g., personality) on mental health nurses' spiritual care attitudes, other modifiable extrinsic factors (e.g., education) were important in enhancing their awareness towards spiritual care. Implications for Practice Our findings encourage further studies to explore possible links between intrinsic factors and attitudes of mental health nurses towards spiritual care as well as suggest benefits of continuing education and on-the-job training that involves actual practice and collaboration in a multidisciplinary team to provide spiritual care.

The attitudes of mental health nurses that support a positive therapeutic relationship: The perspective of people diagnosed with BPD.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Some nurses develop positive relationships with people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), while others have negative emotional reactions to people diagnosed with this disorder. The therapeutic relationship is key in the practice of mental health nursing. Enhanced knowledge of BPD allows mental health nurses to develop improved self-awareness, knowledge and understanding of the individuals and insight into the therapeutic challenges, which can improve attitudes towards people with this diagnosis. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: We are lacking knowledge about the perspective of people diagnosed with BPD on the attitudes of mental health nurses that facilitate a positive therapeutic relationship. The perspective of people with a BPD diagnosis on the therapeutic relationship offers key information about the attitudes that they credit with supporting their recovery. The participants-people diagnosed with BPD-perceived that the following attitudes of mental health nurses reinforced the therapeutic relationship: confidence in the person's recovery, non-judgement, sense of humour, availability and humanity. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The study highlights mental health nurses' attitudes that participants perceived as having a positive effect on the therapeutic relationship. The recognition among people diagnosed with BPD of the constructive attitudes of mental health nurses may improve nurses' motivation to improve care for these patients. This study will allow mental health nurses to increase their awareness of the importance of attitude in the therapeutic relationship with people diagnosed with BPD. ABSTRACT: Introduction The therapeutic relationship between mental health nurses and people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is essential to successful treatment, and nurses' attitudes are a key component of this relationship. Some nurses develop positive therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with BPD, while others have negative emotional reactions which in turn limit their ability to develop a positive therapeutic relationship. There is a gap in the literature with respect to how people diagnosed with BPD perceive the attitudes of mental health nurses that foster a positive therapeutic relationship. Aim To describe how people diagnosed with BPD who have experienced an improvement perceive the role of the attitudes of mental health nurses in building a positive therapeutic relationship. Method Qualitative descriptive design with 12 interviews; thematic content analysis. Results Participants identified five attitudes of mental health nurses as contributing to a positive therapeutic relationship: confidence in their ability to recover, non-judgement, humour, availability and humanity. Discussion Nurses' attitudes are key to the therapeutic relationship. It may be possible for nurses to improve their attitudes towards patients diagnosed with BPD through self-reflection. Implications for practice Mental health nurses should incorporate methods that explore attitudes and attitudinal development of the workforce.

Attitudes of psychiatric nurses towards aggression: A polish study.

Mental health care in Poland lags behind that of many other countries, and coercive measures are used on a regular basis. Scant research has been conducted in Poland regarding the treatment of psychiatric patients. The perspectives of Polish psychiatric nurses towards aggression remain unknown. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO THE EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The translated and validated Attitude Towards Aggression Scale (ATAS) in Polish will serve as an instrument that gauges Polish nurses' attitudes towards aggression. The Polish nurses have unenlightened and negative attitude towards aggression. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is now an instrument in Polish by which we can gauge the attitudes of mental health nurses, which must precede any educational efforts.Polish nurses showed more restrictive and antiquated attitudes about patient violence than nurses in some other parts of the world. With a shift to more positive attitudes, the use of coercion could be reduced, resulting in improved patient care. In Poland, the mode and site of patient treatment have changed little in the past 75years, despite therapeutic advances worldwide. There is limited information regarding attitudes of nurses towards aggression in psychiatric settings in Poland, nor has there been an instrument in Polish to measure it. To translate and validate the Attitudes Towards Aggression Scale (ATAS) for use in Poland, and to assess the attitudes of three groups of nursing personnel towards aggression. We surveyed 980 psychiatric and general nurses as well as nursing students. We translated the ATAS into Polish, and validated it using exploratory factor analysis. The Polish version of the ATAS showed good psychometric properties. We found that Polish nurses perceived patient aggression extremely negatively. Polish nurses perceive aggression as destructive, negative and not to be tolerated, leading to use of restraints. Among the three groups, psychiatric nurses showed the most negative attitude towards aggression. Thus, education is needed for preservice and inservice nurses alike to address this issue. We now have a validated instrument to assess nurses' attitudes about aggression. We also know that Polish nurses have exceedingly negative attitudes towards aggression. The Polish version of ATAS was found valid and reliable. Therefore, we can now measure the attitudes of Polish nurses towards aggression, which was not possible previously.The baseline data provide a starting point from which to determine effects of educational efforts.

Initial psychometric evaluation of the physical health attitude scale and a survey of mental health nurses.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: A clear association exists between serious mental illness (SMI) and poor physical health. Individuals with SMI have markedly higher risks for mortality and morbidity. Mental health nurses play an important role in enhancing service users' mental and physical well-being. The attitudes of mental health nurses towards physical health care have been explored in the western part of the world. However, cross-country differences should be determined to reveal the importance of this global issue. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study adds new data to the literature on the Physical Health Attitude Scale's (PHASe) validity and nurses' attitudes when working in acute mental health services in different cultures. Nurses in acute mental health wards mostly focus on the basic physiological indicators of patients' existing physical health problems, so health promotion practices such as sexual health and eye/dental examinations are neglected for individuals with SMI. Nurses' higher level of confidence about their delivery of physical health care is due to their familiarity with basic nursing practices (e.g. monitoring blood pressure and checking blood glucose levels). Differences that exist between countries in relation to smoking habits are probably due to different regulations. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: To improve patients' physical healthcare outcomes, nurses should be provided with additional training and supervision to strengthen their skills and confidence. Nurses' perceived need for additional training reflects the importance of physical health care in mental health settings, in which training could substantially improve patient outcomes. Authors believe that standard protocols must be established in acute psychiatric care to eliminate obstacles to holistic patient care. Training needs of mental health nurses on health promotion practices should be considered by administrators of mental health settings. Abstract Introduction Nurses play an important role in improving the physical health of individuals with serious mental illnesses. The literature on the attitudes of mental health nurses towards physical health care provides a small amount of data. Assessing trends in nurses' attitudes through suitable surveys is important to ensure holistic care. Aim/Question This study sought to examine the Turkish version of the Physical Health Attitude Scale's (PHASe) validity and reliability and to survey Turkish mental health nurses' attitudes towards physical health care. Method The sample consisted of 174 nurses working in acute psychiatric wards. Firstly, the psychometric properties of the scale were analysed using factor analysis and measures of internal consistency and reliability. Then, the survey results of the attitudes of mental health nurses towards the physical health of patients with serious mental illnesses were determined using the Physical Health Attitude Scale (PHASe). Results The translated PHASe functioned best as a 24-item version and 4-factor solution that explains 51.3% of the variance. The internal consistency value was 0.83. The respondents' attitudes were generally positive about their role. There was less agreement for the involvement of nurses in practices of health promotion, such as sexual health, eye and/or dental examinations. The nurses surveyed also tended to use smoking for therapeutic purposes. Implications for practice Mental health nurses' knowledge and attitudes should be enhanced by additional training in the ways of meeting patients' biopsychosocial needs. Obstacles to physical health care can be removed by implementing standard protocols nationwide.

Advancing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of mental health nurses working with families and caregivers: A critical review of the literature.

Involving and supporting the family members and caregivers of people with mental illness is essential to high-quality mental health services. However, literature suggests that there is a lack of engagement between family members and mental health nurses (MHNs). Lack of knowledge among MHNs is often cited as one of the main reasons for this lack of engagement. The aim of this review was to explore the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required by MHNs to enable to them to work more effectively with families affected by mental illness. A literature based critical review was used to access and review 35 papers in order to extract concepts that could inform the design of eLearning materials to assist MHNs advance their knowledge in this area. Two overarching themes were identified; 'Mental health problems and the family' and 'Working with the family'. From these themes, the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to work more effectively with families are described. The findings from this review provide a descriptive account of the knowledge skills and attitudes that are required for effective family work. In addition, the review provides an empirical foundation for education programmes in the area.

Nurse perceptions of the use of seclusion in mental health inpatient facilities: have attitudes to Māori changed?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the results of New Zealand initiatives to reduce seclusion rates and report the attitudes of mental health nurses to seclusion, factors involved in seclusion use, and alternatives to seclusion.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was circulated to mental health inpatient staff. Data from the Ministry of Health for seclusion numbers and rates for Ma¯ori and non-Ma¯ori were also collected.FindingsThe major barriers to reducing the use of seclusion related to staffing issues, a lack of management and medical support, and physical characteristics of the facility. Data from the Office of the Director of Mental Health annual reports from 2007-2014 clearly show a reduction in the total seclusion events, the number of patients secluded, and the percentage of total patients secluded. However, the percentage of Ma¯ori secluded compared to the total number of patients secluded showed little change from 2007 to 2013.Originality/valueFurther analysis of the nurse’s responses showed that four of the six least-used strategies incorporated Ma¯ori cultural approaches. The authors surmise that an inability to provide culturally sensitive care, either through staffing or education factors, may be implicated in the lack of change in the seclusion rates for Ma¯ori. This may also be pertinent to seclusion rates for indigenous peoples in other countries.

Mental health nurses' attitudes toward self-harm: Curricular implications

Background: Self-harm is an old problem but increasing in incidence. It has important consequences for the individual concerned, the health care system, and can impact the well-being of staff. Extensive prior research has adopted a quantitative approach, thereby failing to explore in detail the perspective of mental health nurses. The literature also neglects secure mental health settings.Methods: The study aimed to explore the attitudes of mental health nurses toward service users who self-harm in secure environments, and to inform mental health curriculum development. It was conducted in a large forensic mental health unit, containing medium and low secure facilities, to the west of London, UK. A qualitative multi-method approach was adopted, underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were obtained from mental health nurses using individual interviews and focus groups, and analysis followed a step-by-step thematic approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Nurses' attitudes toward self-harm varied but were mainly negative, and this was usually related to limited knowledge and skills. The results of the study, framed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, led to the development of a proposed educational model entitled ‘Factors Affecting Self-Harming Behaviours’ (FASH).Conclusion: The FASH Model may inform future curriculum innovation. Adopting a holistic approach to education of nurses about self-harm may assist in developing attitudes and skills to make care provision more effective in secure mental health settings.

Mental health nurses' attitudes toward self-harm: Curricular implications

BackgroundSelf-harm is an old problem but increasing in incidence. It has important consequences for the individual concerned, the health care system, and can impact the well-being of staff. Extensive prior research has adopted a quantitative approach, thereby failing to explore in detail the perspective of mental health nurses. The literature also neglects secure mental health settings. MethodsThe study aimed to explore the attitudes of mental health nurses toward service users who self-harm in secure environments, and to inform mental health curriculum development. It was conducted in a large forensic mental health unit, containing medium and low secure facilities, to the west of London, UK. A qualitative multi-method approach was adopted, underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were obtained from mental health nurses using individual interviews and focus groups, and analysis followed a step-by-step thematic approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis. ResultsNurses' attitudes toward self-harm varied but were mainly negative, and this was usually related to limited knowledge and skills. The results of the study, framed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, led to the development of a proposed educational model entitled ‘Factors Affecting Self-Harming Behaviours’ (FASH). ConclusionThe FASH Model may inform future curriculum innovation. Adopting a holistic approach to education of nurses about self-harm may assist in developing attitudes and skills to make care provision more effective in secure mental health settings.

Negotiating the Space Between Openness and Rejection - Mental Health Nurses' Attitudes Towards Risk Behaviour of their Patients - A Qualitative Study

Objective Personal recovery as a key concept in mental health requests that people with severe mental illness need support in taking positive risks, especially from mental health nurses as key players in this context. In German-speaking countries, studies regarding positive risk-taking seem scarce. Attitude as a concept of social psychology seems to be important to this topic, because it strongly influences the human behavior. Therefore, this study examines the attitudes of mental health nurses in outpatient settings towards their patients taking positive risks and their perception of the institutional position regarding this issue. Methods Four focus group interviews were conducted and analyzed using a descriptive content-analysis approach. Results Three main categories were identified: the concept of risk, the nurses' ambivalence and the institutions' ambivalence. Nurses seem to generally connote risk negatively. Their attitudes towards positive risks can be described as ambivalent, oscillating between openness and aversion and their institutions perceive it similarly. Conclusion Results from other studies can be confirmed. Nurses expect clear position from their institution regarding positive risk-taking and increased support. Guidelines are missing in practice.

Mental health nursing and physical health care: A cross‐sectional study of nurses' attitudes, practice, and perceived training needs for the physical health care of people with severe mental illness

Mental health nurses have a key role in improving the physical health of people with a serious mental illness, however, there have been few studies of their attitudes or the extent of their involvement in this work. The aim of this study was to examine mental health nurses' attitudes to physical health care and explore associations with their practice and training. A postal questionnaire survey including the Physical Health Attitude Scale for mental health nurses (PHASe) was used within a UK mental health trust. The 52% (n = 585) of staff who responded reported varying levels of physical health practice; this most frequently involved providing dietary and exercise advice and less frequently included advice regarding cancer screening and smoking cessation. Having received post-registration physical health-care training and working in inpatient settings was associated with greater reported involvement. More positive attitudes were also evident for nurses who had attended post-registration physical health training or had an additional adult/general nursing qualification. Overall, the attitudes of mental health nurses towards physical health care appear positive and the willingness of nurses to take on these roles needs to be recognized. However, there are areas where nurses in our sample were more ambivalent such as cancer screening and smoking cessation.

P-828 - Driver and vehicle licensing agency regulations and new ways of working: a legal gap?

The United Kingdom Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)regulations provides guidence to drivers affected of psychiatric conditions and/or taking psychotropic medication. These regulations place the duty in the doctor to inform the patient of the impact of the diagnosis in the ability to drive and to remind them of their responsibility to inform the DVLA. This duty is not clearly spelled for other health professionals. In the United Kingdom, “New Ways of Working” refer to a process of reviewing the traditional roles of doctors and other disciplines with a view of enhancing patient care. Many patients that in the past would have been seen by a doctor may not see one and as a result may not receive advice regarding their fitness to drive. To explore the knowledge and attitudes of mental health nurses with regard to DVLA fitness to drive regulations. To identify if New Ways of Working has created a gap in legislation that can put patients and the general public at risk. A survey was conducted in South Staffordshire amongst psychiatrists and menatl health nurses to compare their knowledge and attitudes towards DVLA regulations. Although there were difference sin knowledge regarding specific conditions and ability to drive there were also similarities in the reluctance to inform patients as a result of the potential consecuences on the patient or the therapeutic relationship. The authors beleive that a gap has been identified in the process of informing patients with regards to their driving

The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program: desirable knowledge, skills and attitudes from the perspective of nurses

To enhance the understanding of the skills and attitudes of mental health nurses working in the Australian Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program. The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program places qualified mental health nurses alongside community-based general practitioners, private psychiatric practices and other appropriate organisations to provide clients with mental health conditions with a more integrated treatment plan. An exploratory, qualitative approach was undertaken, given the paucity of relevant research in this area. Exploratory individual interviews were conducted with ten mental health nurses working in this scheme. Data analysis was organised and managed using QSR NVivo qualitative analysis software. Respondents identified specific skills and attitudes required for practice under the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program. Eight areas of skill and attitude were identified as essential for mental health nurses working in this field. This study highlights that many of these skills and attitudes are specific to the setting where mental health nurses are working. Mental health nurses working under this programme have a role to play in the dissemination of knowledge about their practice. More needs to be done by governments and other institutions to ensure that general practitioners and other health professionals understand the role played by mental health nurses in the provision of care. The extent to which the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program becomes a sustainable strategy to promote quality and accessible mental health care will depend to some degree on the capacity to identify the skills and attitudes necessary for practice. The findings presented in this paper provide a significant contribution to articulating the essential characteristics required for this area of practice.

Drafting a new curriculum for pre-registration nursing

The PasT year has been a watershed year for mental health nursing. schools of nursing are drafting the new pre-registration curriculum that will shape the identity, direction and future of the specialty. This vital task is being undertaken in the context of constrained budgets in higher education institutions (heIs) and in the Nhs, and takes account of the needs of the influential adult nursing specialty and the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) guidance on competencies. Other mental health policy drivers include the review of mental health nursing in scotland, which culminated in Rights, Relationships and Recovery: Refreshed (Mental health Delivery and services 2010), an update of the original policy document of the same name (scottish executive 2006). The National Framework for Pre-Registration Mental health Nursing Programmes in scotland (Nhs education for scotland 2007) also guides programme and placement providers in heIs and mental health services. The document was produced jointly by practitioners, service users, carers and representatives from all heIs in scotland to apply agreed standards to all pre-registration programmes. These policies, and analogous drivers across the UK, are constantly defining and developing the roles, values and attitudes of mental health nurses, and hence the expectations of a graduate’s competencies. Mental health nurses care for one of the most marginalised and disempowered groups in our communities. Training and education prepare them to respond effectively to the needs of these people, to ensure their voices are heard. If this is not successful, there is a danger that service users’ needs will not be met, and that the specialist mental health nursing profession will be downgraded. The NMC’s UK-wide consultation (NMC 2008, 2010) appeared to favour the abolition of training in separate branches of nursing, but a switch to generic training was overwhelmingly rejected by respondents. The consultation then drafted both generic and specialised fields of competency for degree-level pre-registration training, with shared learning. The mental health nursing profession must remain alert to the need to promote specialised mental health nursing education. Mental health nursing increasingly emphasises care in the community, multi-agency community services, out-of-hours and crisis response teams and wider access to talk-based therapies. In scotland, this has been part of the shifting the Balance of Care initiative (Nhs scotland 2009). Older people’s wellbeing, involving mental health problems and dementia, is a priority in balancing care.

Comparison of mental health nurses' attitudes towards smoking and smoking behaviour

Smoking is widely recognized as an important public health issue for the general population and in the mental health field where the rates are particularly high. Mental health nurses are well positioned to take an active role in encouraging and supporting people diagnosed with mental illness to cease smoking. Information about smoking behaviour and the attitudes of mental health nurses is necessary to develop strategies to prepare nurses for this important role. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the smoking behaviour and attitudes of mental health nurses in Queensland, Australia, through a random selection of mental health nurses (n = 289). Smoking rates (16%) in this study were lower than those for the Australian population. Smokers were significantly (P < 0.001) less likely to agree that health-care facilities should promote a healthy environment. All participants, but predominantly those who smoked (P < 0.001), supported the individual's right to smoke. Participants believed they possessed appropriate skills to deliver the antismoking message effectively, although stronger beliefs were characteristic of non-smokers. Participants who smoked perceived that their smoking status assisted in facilitating interactions with consumers (P < 0.001). The findings have implications for the health promotion activities of mental health nurses.

Patient aggression in clinical psychiatry: perceptions of mental health nurses

Mental health nurses are faced with an increasing number of aggressive incidents during their daily practice. The coercive intervention of seclusion is often used to manage patient aggression in the Netherlands. However, GGZ Nederland, the Dutch association of service providers for mental health and addition care, has initiated a project to decrease the number of seclusions in clinical psychiatry. A first step in this project is to gain insight into the current situation: the perceived prevalence of patient aggression, the attitudes of mental health nurses towards patient aggression and those socio-demographic and psychosocial factors that contribute to the use of coercive interventions. A survey was undertaken among 113 nurses from six closed and semi-closed wards. In this survey, two questionnaires were used: (1) the Attitude Toward Aggression Scale; and (2) the Perceptions of the Prevalence of Aggression Scale. Variables derived from the Theory of Planned Behaviour were also measured. Nurses reported being regularly confronted with aggression in general and mostly with non-threatening verbal aggression. They perceived patient aggression as being destructive or offensive and not serving a protective or communicative function. The nurses generally perceived themselves as having control over patient behaviour (i.e. considerable self-efficacy) and reported considerable social support from colleagues. Although the nurses in this study were frequently confronted with aggression, they did not experience the aggression as a major problem.

The older I get the more I worry: Attitudes of mental health nurses to working with older people

The older I get the more I worry: Attitudes of mental health nurses to working with older people

Borderline personality disorder: attitudes of mental health nurses

People with borderline personality disorder often feel they are denied the respect and care they really need. Nathan Filer examines the research on the disorder and discusses how care might be improved

Mental &amp; Neurological Health 2004: Attitudes of mental health nurses to supplementary prescribing

<i>Mental &amp; Neurological Health 2004</i>: Attitudes of mental health nurses to supplementary prescribing

The knowledge and attitudes of mental health nurses to electroconvulsive therapy.

This study attempted to illicit the knowledge and attitudes of mental health nurses to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A total of 167 questionnaires containing attitude/knowledge scales were returned from the 345 sent out. The author discovered limitations in the reliability of the instrument and thus reliable measures of the respondents' knowledge of ECT were not obtained. The author's findings indicated correlations with higher levels of knowledge and (a) length of experience and (b) area of clinical practice. He also noted significant variations in knowledge of cognitive side-effects. The author concludes that nurses' knowledge of ECT requires improvement in many cases and that this has implications for nurse education.