2 research outputs found
Standards of proficiency for registered nursesâTo what end? A critical analysis of contemporary mental health nursing within the United Kingdom context
Against the backdrop of cultural and political ideals, this article highlights both the significance of mental health nursing in meeting population needs and the regulatory barriers that may be impeding its ability to adequately do so. Specifically, we consider how ambiguous notions of âproficiencyâ in nurse educationâprescribed by the regulatorâimpact the development of future mental health nurses and their mental health nursing identity. A key tension in mental health practice is the ethicalâlegal challenges posed by sanctioned powers to restrict patients' freedom at the same time as the desire (and obligation) to promote patients' selfâdetermined recovery. The genericism of the UK's Future Nurse Standards do little to prepare mental health nurses to navigate the tensions that ensue. This has consequences for nurses and patients alike, as both risk experiencing the distress and dissonance that attends giving or receiving poor care. We argue that more needs to be done to enable mental health nurses to define and articulate the nuances of the profession as part of becoming critical, thoughtful and confident practitioners. Educators can contribute to this mission by aligning curriculum, pedagogy and assessment to create meaningful opportunities for mental health nursing students to engage with the complexities of mental health nursing practice. Without this, the credibility of the profession will continue to be questioned; its future uncertain