Peer consultation: a unique experiential model for P/MHNP students.

TOPIC: Peer consultation: A unique experiential model for P/MHNP students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to describe the consultation component of the Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Graduate Program at UMASS Lowell. The consultation requirement is described in the Professional Role competency as "provides consultation to healthcare providers and others to enhance quality and cost-effective services for patients and to effect change in organizational systems" (NONPF, 2003, p. 10). The activity described in this paper also includes demonstration of components of the competencies for assessment, diagnosis, plan of care, and teaching/coaching (NONPF, 2003). SOURCES: This paper is based on review of the literature and the author's clinical and teaching experience. CONCLUSIONS: Form of classroom instruction is a unique way of assisting students in the development of the professional role as a consultant.

Knowing how to play the game: hospitalized substance abusers' strategies for obtaining pain relief.

This study explored hospitalized substance abusers' perspectives about getting their pain adequately addressed in the hospital setting and their interactions with nurses about pain-management issues. The aim of the study was to generate theory that can contribute to a greater understanding of the problem of pain management with this population. A grounded theory approach was used to interview participants with a substance abuse problem who were hospitalized with a medical/surgical problem. Interviews were conducted using an interview guide; interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. In addition, a focus group of nurses who worked with this population met twice, once midway through the study, and before the final participant interview. The nurses commented on the fit of the developing model according to their experiences of working with the population described. Eighteen participants were interviewed for a total of 20 interviews (two participants were interviewed twice). All participants were polysubstance abusers and had a painful medical/surgical problem for which they were hospitalized. The Model of "Knowing How to Play the Game" was developed on the basis of participants' descriptions of their experiences and consisted of two core action categories "Feeling Respected/Not Respected" and " Strategizing to Get Pain Relief." Participants had many suggestions about nursing actions that were helpful or not helpful in assisting them to obtain pain relief. Nursing practice, education, research, and policy implications were discussed.