Psychosocial Nursing Care: A Guide to Nursing the Whole Person

Introduction: Psychosocial Nursing Care
1. Mind, Body and Illness: In Search of the Whole Person
2. Communication in Nursing: Relating to the Whole Person
3. Psychosocial Nursing Care: Caring for the Whole Person
4. Psychosocial Assessment: Understanding the Whole Person
5. Psychotherapeutic Approaches in Nursing: New Opportunities
for Working with the Whole Person
6. Working with the Anxious Person
7. Working with the Depressed Person
8. Working with the Psychotic Person and with the Seriously Mentally Ill
9. Working with People who Present Difficult Behaviours

Nursing involves caring for the whole person, and taking care of both physical and psychosocial needs. This book aims to help the reader to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for the whole person and to ensure the patient is at the centre of the care-giving experience.

The book considers different aspects of therapeutic nursing care and explains how you can make the most of opportunities to nurse the whole person. Key topics covered include:

• Understanding the personal experience of illness
• Communication and listening skills
• Developing nurse–patient relationships
• Psychosocial assessment skills
• Using psychotherapeutic approaches

Since it is common for those who are physically ill to feel psychologically vulnerable, the book also has chapters exploring how to care for patients who are anxious, depressed, psychotic or display challenging behaviours.

All chapters include case studies and personal stories of illness to help illustrate the range of practice opportunities for improving your nursing care of the whole person.

An essential read for all nurses looking to hone their craft and for those preparing to qualify who want a deeper understanding of the true art of nursing.