Mental Health Practice
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What is the therapeutic relationship in mental health practice?
A therapeutic relationship between nurse and service user is vital for good outcomes

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NHS pay deal: reopen talks with nurses, union leader urges government
Consultants’ better deal exposes injustice our female-dominated profession faces – RCN
Focus on curbing exploitation of foreign staff, not immigration levels, minister told
Union and care providers call on government to take action against unethical employers
Nurses may see shorter working week if AfC recommendations approved
Scottish Government also considering pay changes and protected learning time
Consultants’ pay deal highlights ‘galling’ disparity for nurses
NHS nurses received the lowest public sector pay deal, with no promise of pay scale reform
Warning of mental health nurses substituted on inpatient wards
But NHS denies any inappropriate staffing in mental health and learning disability services
Nurses’ views bypassed in higher-level staffing decisions
Data given precedence over nursing judgement at the cost of patient care, study finds
Evidence and Practice
What is the therapeutic relationship in mental health practice?
A therapeutic relationship between nurse and service user is vital for good outcomes
A service evaluation of ward rounds in an inpatient rehabilitation service
Service users’ and staff’s experiences on the effectiveness of ward rounds
Nursing associates: benefits of collaborations with mental health experts by experience
How long-term interactions with service users can improve confidence during training
Mental health tribunals: supporting patients and protecting the therapeutic relationship
An overview of the process and advice on displaying transparency and acting as the patient’s...
Exploring young people’s perspectives on digital technology and mental health care
Pilot study suggests avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to integrating digital technology...
Deprescribing antipsychotics in adults with psychotic disorders
The challenge for nurses is to find a balance between the autonomy of the patient and the...
Features
Care for transgender people: how to create positive, inclusive experiences
The steps you can take to tackle health inequalities faced by trans people
Patient’s Choice award winners: The district nursing team that transformed my life
Janette Connor nominated the team for their holistic, compassionate care
Protect your well-being: how to stay calm when the world feels chaotic
Ways to maintain your focus and balance in the face of relentless grim news
RCN Nurse of the Year 2023: ‘We empower patients with choice’
Julie Roye’s determination to break down health inequalities has had an impressive impact
Patient suicide in mental health settings: how to cope with the aftermath
Coping strategies can help but more training and support is needed
Famous names in praise of nurses – ‘the country should value them more’
Nursing Live speaker poet Michael Rosen among celebrities to express their admiration
Opinion
Patient’s clinical negligence complaint left me broken and isolated by misplaced shame
Accusation blighted my life – but here’s how I survived, and you could too
Dreaded form-filling: would standardisation across all settings make your job easier?
Universal patient documentation and its potential to ease your admin burden
Bullying in the NHS: more than just a few bad apples
System-wide change is needed so nurses can be confident reports will be dealt with
Students
What is ChatGPT and can I use it to help with an assignment?
Students need to be AI-literate, but must use the technology with caution
Student hardship funds: what am I entitled to and how can I apply?
The support available if you find yourself struggling to make ends meet
Community project placement: what will I learn and how do I get one?
These non-clinical placements help develop students’ understanding of health inequalities
Careers
Midlife financial review: do I need one, and how do I do it?
Tips for nurses on NHS pensions, planning for future need and seeking financial advice
Safe staffing: how to report concerns, whatever your role or seniority
A practical guide to using ‘red flags’ to raise staffing gaps
Job interview tips: how to answer those ‘tricky’ questions
Steps you can take to prepare and talk with confidence about your skills and achievements