"…You are not particularly helpful as a helper when you are helpless” A qualitative study of Public Health Nurses and their professional competence related to suicidal adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop knowledge about the significance of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop (equal to "Vivat – Førstehjelp ved selvmordsfare”) to Public Health Nurses’ practice with suicidal adolescents. Data was gathered through three focus groups, which were interviewed twice. The empirical material was processed using qualitatively content analysis. The main findings and interpretations were that the Public Health Nurses reports that the workshop has increased their professional mastery, their proficiency in actions and their dialogue competency. This has expanded their professional repertoire and probably improved the quality of their care.