‘Your experiences were your tools’: when mental health nurses bring their own experiences of mental illness to work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

This paper will present findings from 27 interviews with UK mental health nurses who had their own subjective experience of mental illness. The aim of the presentation will be to address the research question of: How does subjective experience of mental health problems inform mental health nursing? Using a thematic analysis approach, after Braun and Clark (2006), the study developed a three part conceptual model for how the mental health nurses brought their own experiences into their work. First, experiences became part of their identity as nurses, motivating them and guiding their career choices. Second, they made conscious but subtle use of their self and their experiences in their rapport and relationship building with patients. Third, they disclosed their experiences to patients and colleagues in certain circumstances when boundary crossing was deemed a judicious means of developing and progressing a therapeutic relationship. This study offers a novel insight into the ‘expertise by experience’ on which some mental health nurses draw. It builds on the findings of previous qualitative studies of mental illness in mental health workers, where disclosure has been seen as a ‘selective’ and ’strategic’ move(Moll et al, 2013; Joyce, McMillan & Hazelton, 2009).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationQRMH 6 Conference Timetable and Abstracts
Subtitle of host publication6th Qualitative Research on Mental Health Conference Chania 2016
Pages45-46
Number of pages2
Publication statusPublished - 25 May 2016
EventQualitative research on Mental Health - Chania, Greece
Duration: 25 May 201627 May 2016

Conference

ConferenceQualitative research on Mental Health
Abbreviated titleQRMH6
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityChania
Period25/05/201627/05/2016

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