This fall, the Nursing Directorate will host online training and hands-on workshops for Douglas nurses. The goal is to ensure all nurses are able to conduct physical and mental health patient evaluations according to best practice standards. To learn more, we spoke with Jennifer Hague, the clinical nurse specialist overseeing the project.

Jennifer, why did the Nursing Directorate choose to do this type of training?

When Bill 90 came into effect in 2003, it identified 14 acts (called reserved acts) that Quebec nurses must be able to perform. Bill 21, which became law in 2009 and was developed in part by Jean-Bernard Trudeau, MD, also specifies that these 14 acts must be part of a nurse’s skill set. One of these acts is conducting rigorous physical and mental health evaluations.

We’re not alone in this challenge. Bill 21 stipulates that a number of other professionals, such as psychologists, must also meet rigorous standards.

There are 14 reserved acts. Why focus on physical and mental evaluations?

They affect the entire care process. If our staff conduct quality physical and mental health assessments soon after patients are admitted, they can treat the problems more effectively. Accurate assessments also decrease work for nurses and other staff, since the path from admitting to discharge flows more smoothly.
There’s another important reason. Because our population is aging, patients are arriving at the Douglas with more physical health problems, like diabetes, obesity and hypertension. We must be as skilled at assessing these issues as any other general hospital or related institute in Quebec.

What can you tell us about the upcoming training?

It will be held in Porteous Pavilion. Each nurse will take one online training course on physical and mental health assessments. There will be staff on site to provide support. This will be followed by a full-day, hands-on workshop. We’ve incorporated feedback from last year’s Therapeutic Nursing Plan audit to make the whole experience as effective as possible.

Once the training ends, will nurses receive ongoing support as they refine their skills?

Absolutely. In addition to online training and workshops, the Nursing Directorate will also introduce a new evaluation guide this fall. This guide will provide detailed information on how to conduct a global health assessment. Called “Guide d’évaluation en soins infirmiers,” it will be used in all Douglas internal and external departments/services and will be the standard to follow for every unit. As well, all nurses (day, evening and night shifts) will have resource people to consult on an ongoing basis.

Final thoughts?

As registered nurses, we are responsible for completing full physical and mental health evaluations of our clients. The need to perfect these skills has been identified in practice at the Douglas. The combination of online training and the workshop, supported by our new “Guide d’évaluation en soins infirmiers” and our resource people will meet this need and advance nursing practice throughout the Institute.