Difficulties for nurses treating patients with mental health problems: a third-year nursing student’s perspective

This article explores and analyses the negative attitudes adopted by some staff towards patients living with borderline personality disorder from the perspective of a third year mental health nursing student. Through critical appraisal of the literature and evidence available on the subject, the authors hope to provide knowledge and understanding of the reasons behind such attitudes, what steps can be taken to reduce them and the effect this has on patient care. Recommendations for practice are also discussed to try to minimise the occurrence of such attitudes.