Despite expert opinion unconvinced of any value for hospitalization in caring for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), this patient group still accounts for a significant proportion of adult acute mental health (AMH) admissions. Staff nurses generally voice negative perceptions of BPD, a view which is linked to an uncertainty of how to approach these patients, and difficulties leading to personal distress and burnout. Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an evidence based approach, focusing on the mental states of both self and others, developed specifically to treat BPD and facilitated successfully in specialised settings. MBT Skills training is a compact and cost effective two day workshop which equips generalist mental health nurses with a skillset enabling them to work effectively with BPD. MBT Skills training was first offered to staff nurses in Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen in 2013. This study aims to assess staff perceptions on the value of MBT skills training, evaluating how it impacts on clinical practice when working with BPD in AMH.

Methodology: Using two focus groups with a neutral facilitator, a purposive sample of nine staff nurses took part in a semi-structured exploration of BPD in AMH. Participants discussed challenges with patients and the impact of MBT skills training and Clinical Supervision (CS). The focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was examined using a thematic analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Staff nurses aged between 18 and 65, who had completed the 2 day Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) skills training and were still working in acute mental health.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Staff nurses under 18 or over 65, who had not completed the 2 day Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) skills training and were not working in acute mental health.

Staff nurses who had completed the 2 day Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) skills training and were still working in acute mental health.