Riitta Askola1,2, Merja Nikkonen3, Hanna Putkonen4, Jari Kylmä5, Olavi Louheranta6. 1. Riitta Askola, RN, MNSc, is a Nurse Manager, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, The HUCH Psychiatry Center, Finland. 2. and also a PhD student, School of Health Sciences, Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. 3. Merja Nikkonen, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor, School of Health Sciences, Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. 4. Hanna Putkonen, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor and Senior Researcher, Vanha Vaasa Hospital, Vaasa, Finland. 5. Jari Kylmä, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. 6. Olavi Louheranta, ThM, PhD, is a Supervisor, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the therapeutic approach to a patient's criminal offense in a forensic mental health nurse-patient relationship from the nurse's perspective. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eight nurses in a Finnish forensic psychiatric hospital were interviewed, and the resultant research material was analyzed by inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: The results revealed the process of the therapeutic approach to a patient's offense, which comprises numerous steps and various phases. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: For the nurse, the process of working through the offense can be divided into stages in which an attempt is made to respond to the patient's behavior and interaction in a manner that leads to working through the criminal act.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the therapeutic approach to a patient's criminal offense in a forensic mental health nurse-patient relationship from the nurse's perspective. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eight nurses in a Finnish forensic psychiatric hospital were interviewed, and the resultant research material was analyzed by inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: The results revealed the process of the therapeutic approach to a patient's offense, which comprises numerous steps and various phases. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: For the nurse, the process of working through the offense can be divided into stages in which an attempt is made to respond to the patient's behavior and interaction in a manner that leads to working through the criminal act.