Mental Health Standard Operating Procedure: An Educational Program for Veterans Administration Nurses

Purpose:

The suicide rate of veterans under the care of nurses trained with the Mental Health Standard Operating Procedure (MHSOP) education model will be lower than the suicide rate of veterans under the care of nurses not trained with the MSHOP educational paradigm.                                                                                                   

Methods:

 Systematic Review                                                                                                                                         

Results:

 The eight studies fell within the inclusion criteria were then submitted to a data extraction and appraisal process based on principles by the University of York NHS Centre for reviews and Dissemination (Greenhalgh, 1997). The process involves a checklist of the following seven steps:  author, aim of study, sample size, design, data collection, analysis, and findings (Terry, 2012). Based upon the existing literature and clinical evidence the MHSOP will provide reliable and consistent education to nurses in the mental health arena.  The development and structure of each session in the MHSOP was based upon the findings of the literature review.  

Conclusion:

Upon completion of an extensive Systematic Review, the existing literature confirms that the MHSOP educational program is a comprehensive review of mental health nursing educational programs and will impact tremendously the positive nursing care of the mental health patient.  The amount of content and topics reviewed is an excellent opportunity for VA nurses to increase their knowledge regarding the nursing care of the mental health patient.  The MHSOP educates VA nurses regarding mental health diagnosis which include:  post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, and schizophrenia.