Self-reports of recovery-oriented practices of mental health nurses in state mental health institutes: development of a measure

Abstract

The focus of this study was to modify a measure of recovery practice for mental health nurses and explore nurses' self reports of recovery practices. Findings support the soundness of the Recovery Self Assessment-Registered Nurse Version (RSA-RN) as a self-assessment instrument designed to evaluate recovery-oriented nursing practice. More favorable perceptions of recovery practices were noted amongst older and more experienced nurses, those who had previous formal training or education in mental health recovery or psychiatric rehabilitation, and those who considered their facilities to be recovery-oriented. The RSA-RN can be use to identify nurses' and nursing departments' strengths in the provision of recovery-oriented interventions and lead to focused performance improvement.