Implementing a Competence Framework for Administering Medication: Reporting the experiences of Mental Health Nurses and Students

Abstract
Medicines administration is a high risk activity that most nurses undertake frequently. In this paper, the views of registered mental health nurses and final year student nurses are evaluated about the usefulness of the Medicines with Respect Assessment of the Administration of Medicines Competency Framework. A questionnaire using 22 items with closed and open response questions was distributed to 827 practising mental health nurses and 44 final year mental health nursing students. This paper presents a content analysis of written replies to the open response questions. Four overlapping themes were identified in response to the open questions posed in the survey. First, reasons for undertaking the Medicines with Respect Framework; second, positive aspects; third, negative aspects; and finally, service user benefit.
Key words: Mental Health Nursing; Medicines Management; Administration of Medicines; Competence; Content Analysis;