Shared learning to improve the care for young people and mental health within nurse education (SHYNE). Improving attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy

Preparing students for the complexities of practice is an ongoing challenge of pre-registration nurse education. One such complexity is the increase in children and young people with mental health problems. Pre-registration student nurses from child and mental health specialisms from one University participated in an innovative simulation session, whereby actors from a youth theatre group simulated young people admitted to an acute non-mental health hospital setting for treatment of self-harm injuries. This study used an uncontrolled pre and post design to determine the impact of the session on student nurses' attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy when caring for young people who self-harm. Attitudes towards self-harm was measured using a 13 item self-report questionnaire. Confidence was measured through Likert scale responses. Self-efficacy for working with children and young people who have self-harmed was measured through an adapted version of the Self-Efficacy Towards Helping (SETH) scale. In total 101 student nurses took part in the study and 99% completed post simulation outcome measures. At post-session, the students reported a statistically significant improvement in attitudes, self-efficacy and confidence towards children and young people who self-harm. A lack of confidence is frequently reported in the literature when caring for this client group in practice settings. Improvements in attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy can positively impact individual nursing practice. Furthermore the simulation literature indicates that the skills consolidated using such an educational approach are taken forward into clinical practice. While broad claims of success should be avoided, it is promising to find a learning method that is effective in addressing a contemporary and complex health issue. Shared Learning to Improve the Care for Young People and Mental Health within Nurse Education (SHYNE): Improving Attitudes, Confidence and Self-Efficacy.