When should Mental Health students engage inspecial or constant observations?
There are rules for this role in mental health settings for different stages of the students programme. Students in year 1 should not be involved in constant or special observation. However by year 2 they can participate but must be accompanied by an appropriately qualified person. By year 3, at the discretion of the Nurse in Charge, students may observe clients on constant or special observation. However, it must be established that the student understands both the risk assessment and the psychological interventions required for engagement with the client. As always this must be appropriate to the learning needs of the student and maintain patient safety.
