Finally, eight respondents spoke of the ongoing nature of the assessment process. The process of a comprehensive mental health nursing assessment is seen to continue for as long as the nurse and patient interact, with new pieces of information becoming evident with ongoing contact.
The other thing about good assessments is that they will elucidate patterns over time . . . It’s a work in progress. It’s an ideal we aspire to and we might approximate the ideals but . . . so much will not be discovered (Luke, Manager, 24 years experience).
The desire for ongoing contact is expressed by patients as the desire for a close relationship with the nurse; they want consistency in the relationship to ensure that there is a depth of understanding (Barry 2007). This depth of understanding can only develop over time with continuity of contact between the nurse and the patient.