RESUMO
PURPOSE: To describe an educational program to improve inpatient psychiatric nursing staff communication skills to better provide patient-centered care throughout patient hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS: Delivered and evaluated an educational program to increase inpatient staff knowledge and use of communication skills during patient encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Emphasizing the spirit and intent of motivational interviewing in a training program results in a translation of the newly obtained knowledge into nursing practice, as evidenced by observed use of motivational interviewing skills during which patient encounters to strengthen the therapeutic alliance. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can provide an important role of coaching/mentorship for inpatient psychiatric nursing staff to further develop communication skills that are meaningful, patient-centered, and may lead to improved treatment adherence.