Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice

Offering a unique focus on communication skills, mental health promotion, and evidence-based, recovery-oriented nursing care of people with common mental health disorders, this concise and engaging text presents essential concepts in easy-to-understand language with multiple examples and explanations. Compelling case studies—supported by online videos that play out the scenarios in more depth—show students how to apply theory to specific patients, providing a seamless transition to the practice world.

Emphasizing psychopharmacology, the recovery model, and DSM-5 throughout , this practical book will help students:

• Master essential psychiatric nursing concepts through Key Diagnostic Characteristics summaries , which describe diagnostic criteria, target symptoms, and associated findings for select disorders, adapted from the DSM-5 by the American Psychiatric Association.
• Hone an understanding of commonly prescribed medications for patients with mental health problems through Drug Profile boxes that complement text discussions of biologic processes associated with various mental health disorders.
• Develop a deeper understanding of mental health patients through case studies interwoven in the mental health disorder chapters that are brought to life by online videos of these case patients displaying these disorders.
• Prepare for effective practice through online Nursing Care Plans , most of which are based on the book’s case studies. These plans present clinical examples of patients with a particular diagnosis and demonstrate plans of care that follow patients through various diagnostic stages and care delivery settings.

Mary Ann Boyd PhD, DNS, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Professor Emerita
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois

Clinical Faculty
St. Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri