Personal and Professional Development for Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing 1

Mental health care provision is complex and multifaceted and it is well known that students within the field of mental health find this complexity and the theory and language of mental health practice difficult to make sense of. Furthermore the concept of recovery in mental health can be challenging for the beginning practitioner as it may contradict their initial understanding of the nurse’s role. The idea of supporting people in their own recovery rather than caring for or curing people may dispute their ideas in relation to nursing, mental health and illness. Reflecting on the values of mental health/psychiatric nursing and an awareness of the influence of the personal values of the student is imperative in understanding how the mental health/psychiatric nurse can support recovery and it influences how he or she will work with those experiencing mental or psychological distress. This module aims to enable the student to develop a clearer understanding of mental health recovery and mental health care philosophies as they apply to psychiatric nursing practice and an awareness of themselves as beginning mental health practitioners.

1. Develop a personal philosophy of the meaning of recovery for the self and demonstrate an understanding of the use of self as a therapeutic intervention

2. Understand the concept of lived experience

3. Identify own strengths and skills and develop a learning strategy to enhance and develop further one's own strengths and skills

4. Identify one's own learning needs and limitations and develop a strategy to meet learning needs and minimise or accept limitations

5. Be aware of effective interpersonal and communication skills and appreciate their importance in mental health psychiatric nursing