Mental Health A Person-centred Approach

This chapter explores a range of challenges for students as they learn to apply interpersonal skills within the mental health practicum placement and other non-mental health settings. Exploration of the student’s attitudes, expectations and positive engagement within practice begins the chapter. This is followed by discussion of power relations characterising the therapeutic relationship, including the development of emotional competence. The chapter outlines reflective practice as a critical thinking process and clinical supervision for the beginning mental health nursing student. It explores the importance of developing skills to work within a trauma-informed care and practice framework. How to go about developing objectives for practice, the process of self-assessment and personal problem solving are discussed. Reflection, self in-action and post-placement are explored as they relate to learning in mental health. Throughout this chapter, critical examination of the ethical and political influences on care will be highlighted. This chapter also considers non-traditional opportunities to learn, and the experience of transition programs into mental health nursing.