Psychiatric Inpatient Nurses' Perceptions of Using Motivational Interviewing.

BACKGROUND: Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based intervention that may help inpatient psychiatric nurses understand patient beliefs about medication while simultaneously strengthening the therapeutic alliance.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate nurses' perceptions regarding use of motivational interviewing after an educational program.

DESIGN: A prospective intervention project.

RESULTS: Agreement with consistent use of MI skills declined at one month. Nurses listened and connected with patients and gained self-awareness of their interactions with other providers.

CONCLUSIONS: Consistent use of MI was used less often than initially believed but having MI focused conversations were useful. When planning MI training for inpatient psychiatric staff nurses, activities must be timely, realistic, and achievable. Work environment is important to making and sustaining the use of MI.