An assessment of students' confidence in performing psychiatric mental health nursing skills: the impact of the clinical practicum experience

Background: In 2008, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the International Society for Psychiatric Nursing jointed developed Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing competencies for BSN students. In the newly created accelerated track of the BSN program, students spend less time than traditional students in psychiatric mental health (PMH) clinical practica. Objectives: The primary objective was to discover how the PMH practicum experience influences BSN students' perceptions of their confidence in performing PMH clinical skills. Design: An evaluation design was used in this study. Results: There was significant improvement in students' confidence performing PMH clinical competencies after completing the PMH nursing practicum. The current structure of clinical provides students with experiences that promote their confidence. Conclusions: Students self-assessment about learning needs and skill level should be assessed preclinically to allow for practice to gain confidence.