title: The psychiatric educational experiences of advance beginner RNs.
abstract: The nursing profession is in an extraordinary position to improve educational experiences of prospective nurses, particularly within psychiatric nursing. To acquire an enhanced understanding of the nurse's instructive learning process and skills regarding psychiatric nursing, this study described and explored the experiences of advance beginner nurses employed in mental health facilities. It also denoted the registered nurses' (RNs) educational preparedness to function in their new professional role. Reflection of the nurse's personal experiences was acquired by using a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. Colaizzi's Frame work [Colaizzi, P., 1978. Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In: Valle, R., King, M. (Eds.), Existential Phenomenological Alternative for Psychology. Oxford University Press, NY, pp. 48-71] guided the mode of data analysis by enlisting 15 advance beginner nurses to participate in in-depth, audio-taped interviews. Results from this study indicated a need for educational improvements to accurately reflect trends of psychiatric patient care in order to emphasize interpersonal relationships as well as multi-diagnosis and co-morbidity. Additionally, increased contact with diverse patient populations and responsibilities congruent with other clinical placements in managing the patient's overall care were noted to be critical. This study suggests that some nursing educational programs can improve their curriculum, methods of teaching and approach used to introduce students to psychiatric mental health nursing.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Mail Stop 501, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. Rlw26@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waite
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires