Title

Outcomes of a Psychiatric Nursing Resource Service

Date of Completion

January 2009

Keywords

Health Sciences, Mental Health|Gerontology|Health Sciences, Nursing|Health Sciences, Health Care Management

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes of the Psychiatric Nursing Resource Service (PNRS) following the implementation of education, expert consultation and clinical coaching. This study is descriptive, not experimental, describing aspects of nursing knowledge and practice before and after the PNRS program was started Peplau's interpersonal relations and Benner's humanistic relational theories are utilized as the framework. The study sample includes nurses from five units in an acute care hospital located in the Northeast. The nurses' self-assessment of comfort and competence for nineteen psychologically based nursing care variables were assessed on a four point Liked scale. The nurses' self-assessment of knowledge of delirium was assessed utilizing ten multiple-choice questions following implementation of the PRNS program Summative evaluations of the PNRS consultation, security codes, and one-to-one patient care associate (PCA) sitter utilization reveal a reduction in the staff nurse use of these interventions. Increased knowledge of the clinical phenomena of delirium combined with clinical coaching may enhance nurses self-report of competence and comfort. A decrease in nurse anxiety may promote the nurse's ability to provide psychological care. The paradigm of care shifted from setting limits to providing safe, knowledgeable care. ^

COinS