Mental Health Placements

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.

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