Paper
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
This presentation is part of : Posters
Enabling Nurses to Work to Full Scope of Practice and Enhancing the Therapeutic Relationship for Clients in Mental Health
Judy-Lynn McGrath, BScN, MN, Schizophrenia Program, Schizophrenia Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to gain an understanding that links the therapeutic relationship theoretical model and to practice improvement startegies.
Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to reflect on strategies used for this project when planning to implement models of care that enable nurses to work to the full scope of practice.

Objective: In mental health work is based on relationships. Care delivery is provided to clients through therapeutic relationships. The demands on nurses to provide care competently, therapeutically and efficiently are reflected in the care outcomes. To improve service delivery and outcomes of care, nurses need to work to the full scope of practice. This study examines how supporting nurses full of scope of practice in mental health settings enables the implementation of a client centred care delivery model and enhances the therapeutic relationship. This study looks at the links between theory and practice emerging from a quality improvement project.

Design: A 2 phase quality improvement project 1) Hospital wide education of RPNs (Registered practical nurses) to administer medication. 2) Implementation of a Primary Nursing model for 5 inpatient units. Both phases of project were evaluated

Population/sample: A sample 44 nurses (RNs and RPNs) completed the evaluation on 5 inpatient units. Nurse and client focus groups.

Methods: An evaluation tool was designed to measure knowledge acquired, autonomy of practice and the impact of relationships. Focus groups centered on relationships and outcomes of care for nurses and clients. Data was collected using qualitative and quantitative methods and analysed.

Findings: 1) Nurses perceive autonomy in practice when care is client centred 2) When nurses work to the full scope of practice they perceive to spend more quality time with clients and perceive improved working relationships with multidisciplinary team members.

Conclusions: There is growing evidence that nurses working at full scope of practice perceive to provide better care through the therapeutic relationship.

Implications: The implementation of models of care that enable nurses to work to full scope of practice will enhance relationships and improve the outcome of client care. There is a need for Leadership/Management strategies to create evidence-based nursing environment to enhance relationships.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004