Performing a Formal Psychiatric Nursing Assessment

Performing a Formal Psychiatric Nursing Assessment

This lecture explains how to perform psychiatric nursing assessment. The dynamic nature of mental status and the importance of continual risk assessment are emphasised. The importance of establishing a therapeutic relationship in order to perform a proficient psychiatric assessment is discussed. The therapeutic skills of honesty, genuineness and empathy are described. How personal attitudes of the nurse are reflected in behaviour is debated. The need for nurses to develop strategies to maintain emotional safety and prevent burn out are discussed.

The main concepts explored in this session are:

• Psychiatric nursing assessments
• Therapeutic skills of honesty, genuineness and empathy
• The dynamic nature of mental status
• Continual risk assessment
• Personal attitudes reflected in behaviour

Rosemary Sturmey is a nurse educator and consultant who has gained extensive experience in clinical mental health in public and private hospitals, community settings and private practice. Her qualification’s include a Bachelor of Nursing,  as well as four years training in psychoanalysis.

Speaker name: Rosemary Sturmey
Recorded: 21 & 22 June 2010
Listening time: 12 Mins
Conference: Psychiatric nursing assessment skills
Session in Conference: Performing formal psychiatric nursing assessments
State: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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