Main description:

A handy pocket guide to help mental health student nurses prepare for their practice placements.

Mental health nursing placements can be daunting - you'll be working in a variety of settings and supporting individuals with a range of mental health problems. There are new colleagues to work with, and newly learned nursing theory to put into practice. This pocket guide is designed to make your placements much more enjoyable and less stressful.

From absence policy to personal safety, via least restrictive practice, it's full of practical detail, hints and tips.

Written by a team comprising an experienced mental health lecturer, a Practice Education Facilitator and two recently qualified mental health nurses - this guidance is really produced with you in mind.
Pocket-sized format - carry it with you at all times.
Space to make your own notes - be it uniform policy, new terminology, or just the names of your new colleagues!

Reduce your stress and make the most of your placements by having this book to hand from the start.

Pocket Guides is a series of handy, pocket-sized books designed to help students make the most of their practice learning experiences.

Contents:

Getting there

1. Preparing for placement

2. Uniform

3. Absence policy

4. The NMC Code

5. Person-centred care

5.1 Least restrictive practice

6. Consent, confidentialityand safeguarding

6.1 Consent

6.2 Confidentiality

6.3 Safeguarding

7. Guidance on using social media

Settling there

8. Induction and first day

9. Working with those supervising your practice

10. Common documentation

11. Communicating with colleagues

12. Communicating with patients

Being there

13. Personal safety

13.1 De-escalation

13.2 Hand hygiene

13.3 Infection control and sharps policy

13.4 Moving and handling

14. Fundamental skills

14.1 Assessment

14.2 Drug administration

14.3 Drug calculations

14.4 Observations

14.5 Skin assessment

14.6 Urinalysis

15. Basic Life Support

16. Common medical emergencies

16.1 Anaphylactic reaction

16.2 Falls

16.3 Sepsis

16.4 Stroke

16.5 Seizures

17. Common groups of medications

17.1 Antipsychotics

17.2 Antidepressants

17.3 Anxiolytics

18. Pain assessment - pain tools

Moving on from there

19. Reflection and action planning

20. Common terminology

21. Quick references

22. Further reading