title: Meeting the needs of the modern mental health nurse: a review of a higher education diploma in nursing communication module.
abstract: This paper sets out to review a higher education diploma in nursing communication module developed to meet the requirements of Making a Difference (Department of Health 1999a) and the National Service Framework for Mental Health (Department of Health 1999b). Mental health nursing literature would suggest that modern mental health nurses need to broaden their therapeutic communication skills as part of their professional development (Minardi & Riley 1997). The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of therapeutic communication skills as a prerequisite to good mental health nursing practice whilst recognising the value of emotional responses of self and others. This paper discusses the value of the module in developing clinically effective communication skills and contemplates the role of emotional labour and emotional intelligence within the therapeutic communication process. The module outlines how the teaching of therapeutic communication through an experiential approach offers the potential for students to develop skills and self-awareness through a reflective process. The contribution of reflection and emotional awareness as a fundamental element to the future development of sound practitioner skills is considered.
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Mental Health, Department of Nursing and Applied Health Studies, Faculty of Health, The University of Hull, East Riding Campus, Beverley Road, Willerby HU10 6NS, UK.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Welbourn