title: Legal Considerations of Psychiatric Nursing Practice.
abstract: There are major legal issues that affect psychiatric nursing and guidelines for practicing in a legal and responsible manner. Advances in understanding of psychiatric conditions and developments in how nurses care for psychiatric patients result in changes in regulations, case law, and policies that govern nursing practice. Professional development, keeping abreast of current research and literature regarding clinical practice and trends, and involvement in professional organizations are some of the ways that psychiatric nurses can meet the challenges of their profession.
authors.affiliation: The Houston Methodist Hospital, 6560 Fannin Street, Suite 944, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: lbarloon@houstonmethodist.org.
authors.forename: Linda Funk
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barloon
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch, Correctional Managed Care, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hilliard
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards
keywords: Civil commitment; Confidentiality; Informed consent; Liability