Services for the underserved. A nurse-managed center for the chronically mentally ill

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychiatric Mental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The chronically mentally ill represent an underserved population with complex healthcare needs.
• Nursing education must adequately prepare students to care for individuals with severe mental illness.
• Innovative educational models are required to enhance student engagement and positive attitudes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a nurse-managed center experience on baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes and experiences with the chronically mentally ill.
• To assess the alignment between course objectives, client needs, and the behavioral-ecological model in a psychiatric rehabilitation setting.

Main Methods:

• A university-based, nurse-managed center provided clinical experiences for baccalaureate nursing students.
• Students engaged with chronically mentally ill clients, focusing on psychosocial rehabilitation.
• The behavioral-ecological model guided the integration of client needs and educational objectives.

Main Results:

• The educational intervention significantly enhanced nursing students' experiences with the chronically mentally ill population.
• The program fostered a positive shift in nursing students' attitudes toward individuals with chronic mental illness.
• A strong congruence was observed between client needs, course objectives, and the applied behavioral-ecological model.

Conclusions:

• Nurse-managed centers offer a viable setting for improving nursing students' understanding and care of the chronically mentally ill.
• Positive changes in student attitudes are crucial for addressing the healthcare needs of this population.
• Integrating practical experience with theoretical frameworks like the behavioral-ecological model is effective in psychiatric nursing education.