Evaluation of a forensic psychiatric setting to provide a graduate nurse programme

Abstract

There has been growth in the number and diversity of models of Australian graduate nurse programmes in psychiatric nursing. Programmes have also been established in specialist areas, and evidence is needed regarding best models of graduate nurse programmes and the ability of specialist areas to prepare nurses for psychiatric nursing. This paper reports on a qualitative project that examined the adequacy of a forensic psychiatric hospital to provide a graduate nurse programme. Individual, semistructured interviews were undertaken with nurses participating in the programme, and nurses who had completed the programme and had remained at the hospital or were nursing in other areas. Participants identified that the environment was safe and supportive of professional practice and development, and that skilled nurses were willing to encourage and teach graduates. Processes such as orientation, preceptorship and academic study were appreciated; however, their colleagues' willingness to be available, to teach, and to support were more valued. Participants reported that they felt confident and prepared as psychiatric nurses. Although limitations of undertaking a graduate nurse programme in a forensic setting were identified, the participants from past programmes who had gone on to work in other services did not report that their nursing careers had been disadvantaged. It can be concluded that as long as the context of the programme has adequate resources to support and assist graduates to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nursing, then the specialist nature may not be a limitation.

New graduate nurses in transition: A review of transition programmes and transition experiences within mental health care

“…Similarly, the NGN evaluated theoretical education as supportive with regards to developing their theoretical knowledge, although programme revisions were suggested (Cleary & Happell ; Martin et al . ). According to the empirical source material, clinical rotations connect to the subtheme ‘evaluations’; however, only a few of the NGN evaluated their rotations.…”

“…According to the included articles in this review, orientation was evaluated as necessary and useful in facilitating the transition (Cleary & Happell ; Martin et al . ; Tingleff et al . ).…”

“…The NGN appreciated the visits to other units (Martin et al . ), but found rotations problematic, as the NGN were prevented from feeling a part of a team or unit (Schwartz et al . ).…”

“…However, inhibitory aspects were also identified and characterized by casual meetings, not working in the same shifts, and the lack of continuity with the same preceptor throughout all of the clinical rotations (Cleary & Happell ; Martin et al . ; Nadler‐Moodie & Loucks ).…”

Toward the Establishment of a Forensic Nursing Specialty in Brazil

“…In Australia, Martin et al (2007) examined the adequacy of the Graduate Nurse Program (GNP) at the Thomas Embling Hospital of the Victorian Institute of Mental Health (trading as Forensicare). The GNP, established in 1994, employed preceptorship, in-house lectures, competency examinations, and placement evaluations to prepare students for psychiatric nursing practice.…”