The eclectic approach: principles and general applications

Abstract

Psychiatric and mental health nursing practice by necessity is based upon the application of relevant theories, some drawn from nursing itself and others drawn from related fields of practice. There does not exist at this time one single theory that can encompass the broad scope of patients, ranging from personality disorders to major psychosis, to otherwise healthy individuals having difficulty in coping with either one specific aspect of their lives or one particular time when a crisis situation is encountered. Equally, psychiatric nursing spans a continuum of concepts, ranging from Wellness and health, to severe illness. To further add to the knowledge-base required in psychiatric services, nurse’s practise varies from out-patient settings where activities are directed toward prevention or practice in one of the therapies shared by several disciplines, to practice within an in-patient setting where the work is primarily within the hospital milieu, giving direct care and making interventions appropriate to individual patient needs.