A qualitative study exploring how qualified mental health nurses deal with incidents that conflict with their accountability.

In reviewing the literature on accountability within nursing practice, it became clear that accountability is a complex issue. By using a qualitative new paradigm approach, this study explored how 22 mental health nurses deal with the complex issue of conflict in their accountability within their daily practice, by taking a 'snapshot' of their practice. This was achieved by using written critical incidents as proposed by Flanagan (1954), as this allows the researcher to explore the real clinical situations, as identified by the nurse. Cormack's (1983, 1996) technique for analyses of critical incidents was used. The results identified that these nurses are working in an environment in which they have to deal with aggression, suicide and a lack of support from their line managers, as well as from medical colleagues. The nurses in this study identified the importance of team support; clinical supervision and debriefing as methods which help them deal with issues that affect their accountability, within their practice.