Mental health nurse prescribing: using a constructivist approach to investigate the nurse-patient relationship

Nurse prescribing has been embraced in many areas of nursing, but less so in mental health. Relatively few studies have been published in this field with even fewer asking clients who have their medication prescribed by a mental health nurse about their views. This paper reports findings concerning the mental health nurse prescriber–patient relationship. It draws on data from a qualitative study, which was undertaken in one mental health National Health Service Foundation Trust in England to ascertain the views of clients and other stakeholders (nurse prescribers, pharmacist prescribers, nurse managers and doctors) about nurse prescribing. Data were collected by interview (either face to face or telephone) or focus group. Following Framework analysis, findings revealed that clients liked to have their nurse prescribe for them as they valued the pre-established relationship. They also valued the consistency of seeing the same person and the relative ease of access to appointments. Doctors and nurse managers were aware of positive feedback from clients. Nurse prescribers believed that nurse prescribing provided an enhanced service to clients.