Incorporating the QSEN competency in evidence-based practice in a mental health clinical rotation

Nurse educators continually search for alternative methods of instruction that provide a meaningful experience while meeting clinical objectives. One approach incorporated the Quality Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies' evidence-based practice (EBP) into the clinical setting.

The Paint a Picture of Mental Illness assignment is a creative teaching approach in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing course. Students prepare a poster presentation using pictures, drawings, and illustrations demonstrating the mental, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual impact of the mental illness. Students must perform a library search, locate an evidence-based research article related to best practices in patient care, and summarize pertinent information for presentation to the peer group.

Nursing students developed an understanding of mental health concepts, addressed real-life issues, researched EBP, and effectively communicated their findings to the peer group.

This assignment helped students to develop empathy for patients with mental health issues and promoted understanding of patients' inner experiences.