Alyson Kettles – författare

Written by experts in the growing field of forensic mental health care, this book explores current and emerging interventions in forensic nursing and the care of the mentally disordered offender, with an emphasis on clinical practice and clinical competence. It explores the practical issues facing forensic nurses, such as environment and safety issues, as well as the possible emotional trauma of such a role. It examines a range of intervention strategies, such as exercise, which has often been used as an occupational time-filler, but also offers real therapeutic benefits. The contributors cover a range of diverse perspectives from the care of women in secure services, severely assaultive patients and sex offenders, the role of inpatient therapy and nurse therapists and the importance of spiritual nursing and educational interventions. The book also examines the client group itself and considers new roles for nurses in the light of recent research.The contributors to this volume take a wide-ranging approach, providing a comprehensive overview of current and future therapeutic interventions for forensic mental health care. Therapeutic Interventions for Forensic Mental Health Nurses is essential reading for all practitioners, nurses and educators in the forensic nursing field.

The first comprehensive account of forensic nursing and its role within the wider professional team, the aim of this book is to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on the training needed to work with mentally disordered patients, as well as to examine the key characteristics of the forensic nursing role. An international group of contributors, from a wide range of disciplines, provides a well-rounded, comparative view of the forensic nursing profession.The chapters are a rich contribution of cross-cultural thinking on the many dilemmas and challenges facing nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care practitioners, working with specific client groups. Each contributor has utilised empirical data to analyse relevant issues, such as: professional standards; effectiveness of preparation for nurses working within secure environments; day to day and long term challenges facing nurses; clinical effectiveness; the dilemma of security versus practice; how forensic nursing differs from other kinds of nursing; and what forensic nurses can contribute to other mental health care disciplines. Examples of how research findings may be integrated into practice, will be of interest not only to forensic nurses, but also to significant sectors of the mental health care field.

The chapters are a rich contribution of cross-cultural thinking on the many dilemmas and challenges facing nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care practitioners, working with specific client groups. Each contributor has utilised empirical data to analyse relevant issues, such as: professional standards; effectiveness of preparation for nurses working within secure environments; day to day and long term challenges facing nurses; clinical effectiveness; the dilemma of security versus practice; how forensic nursing differs from other kinds of nursing; and what forensic nurses can contribute to other mental health care disciplines. Examples of how research findings may be integrated into practice, will be of interest not only to forensic nurses, but also to significant sectors of the mental health care field.