Magnet Forces: A Structure for a Transformation in Inpatient Psychiatric Nursing

Abstract

Recovery is a cornerstone of the federal government's transformation vision for mental health care. Recovery is most often depicted as a process by which people with serious mental illness reengage with activities that create a meaningful existence and a purpose in life. Psychiatric nurses are expected to partner with patients in the recovery process during inpatient treatment. This may prove difficult given the current emphasis on medical models of care and the state of the science in inpatient psychiatric nursing. In this article, the authors describe how magnet forces that focus on empowering nurses, empowering evidence-based care, and strengthening unit-based leadership have the potential for generating transformational change at the point of service. Engaging in the recovery movement within the magnet structure may generate innovations critical to the growth of the specialty. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 14(5), 346-352.

Recovery‐oriented practice: Participant observations of the interactions between patients and health professionals in mental health inpatient settings

“…Inpatient settings are often characterized as underresourced dealing with progressively shorter admissions and quick turnovers, favouring fast stabilization and crisis management (Delaney & Lynch 2008;Horsfall et al 2010). Treatment is often described as directed towards fast diagnostic assessment and medical stabilization prior to the earliest possible discharge (Chester et al 2016;Gwinner & Ward 2013).…”

Clients with intellectual disabilities on psychiatric units: care coordination for positive outcomes

“…The model of care on the psychiatric unit provided a strong foundation for the care of the client. Integrative services incorporate a relationship‐based primary nurse care model and principles of building therapeutic environments (Manthey 2006, Delaney & Lynch 2008). Psychiatrists, nurses, mental health workers, social workers and discharge planning staff develop integrated individualized plans of care for clients.…”

“…The nursing model works best in a learning environment with high levels of nursing autonomy and strong nursing management (Manthey 2006). Foundational concepts of therapeutic environments include maintaining safety in the environment, building an atmosphere of respect in a setting that validates client dignity, and maintaining a milieu where clients are encouraged to practise socially appropriate behaviours (Delaney & Lynch 2008, Mahoney et al . 2009).…”

“…2010). In recent years, efforts for seamless transition for clients hospitalized in psychiatric units to the community have improved (Delaney & Lynch 2008). Brown & Censullo (2008) stress the particular need for communication between inpatient and community facility staff and the family in order to prevent problems when individuals with ID are discharged from inpatient settings.…”

Understanding Helpful Nursing Care From the Perspective of Mental Health Inpatients With a Dual Diagnosis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

“…The needs of patients with a dual diagnosis are complex and delivering effective care calls for specialized knowledge, novel approaches, and clinical skills specific to this population (EMCDDA, 2015;McCallum, Mikocka-Walus, Gaughwin, Andrews, & Turnbull, 2016;McGovern, Lambert-Harris, Gotham, Claus, & Xie, 2014;Petrakis et al, 2018). Acquiring and developing these competencies requires further staff education, standardized training, and professional support (Antai-Otong et al, 2016;Delaney & Lynch, 2008;McGovern et al, 2014;Petrakis et al, 2018;Van Boekel, Brouwers, Van Weeghel, & Garretsen, 2013). Many also argue in favor of an integrated care model, in which the management of substance use is incorporated as an integral part of mental health services.…”