As the only clinical instructor
for this experience, I assigned
four different groups of seven to
eight students each to work with
a client 1 full day each week for
4 weeks during their 14-week
clinical experience in psychiatric
nursing. For some students, this 4-
week experience occurred at the
beginning of the 14-week clinical
experience; for others, it occurred
during the middle or end.
The creative reflective experience
took place at a communitybased
psychiatric rehabilitation
program serving individuals with
chronic mental illness including
schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Many of the assigned clients also
had substance abuse histories,
anxiety disorders, and personality
disorders. Clients were selected
by the program staff. In total, 29
students participated in the creative
reflective experience during
the first semester of their senior
year in a baccalaureate nursing
program. In addition, all of these
students had clinical experiences
in acute care mental health settings
during the 14-week clinical
experience.