Incorporating the QSEN competency in evidence-based practice in a mental health clinical rotation.

Background: Nurse educators continually search for alternative methods of instruction that provide a meaningful experience while meeting clinical objectives. One approach incorporated the Quality Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies' evidence-based practice (EBP) into the clinical setting.

Method: The Paint a Picture of Mental Illness assignment is a creative teaching approach in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing course. Students prepare a poster presentation using pictures, drawings, and illustrations demonstrating the mental, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual impact of the mental illness. Students must perform a library search, locate an evidence-based research article related to best practices in patient care, and summarize pertinent information for presentation to the peer group.

Results: Nursing students developed an understanding of mental health concepts, addressed real-life issues, researched EBP, and effectively communicated their findings to the peer group.

Conclusion: This assignment helped students to develop empathy for patients with mental health issues and promoted understanding of patients' inner experiences.