RESUMEN
PURPOSE: This study was done to verify the validity and reliability of a Psychiatric Nurses' Image Scale (PSYNIS) for Korean psychiatric and mental health nurses. METHODS: A methodological study design was used with an exploratory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation, and a fitness of the modified mode for validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients and an alternative-form method for reliability were used. Psychiatric Nurses' Image Scale (PSYNIS) was tested with 345 psychiatric and mental health nurses, residing in G city, J city, and J province. Data were collected from Jun. 1 to Aug. 2, 2012. Responses were obtained from respondents through self reports method and each item had a possible score of 5. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 and LISREL 8.54 programs. RESULTS: The 28 items making up the instrument were classified into the following 4 factors: 'Professionalism', 'Activism', 'Coordination competence', and 'Personalism'. These factors explained 63.2% of the total variance. Fitness of the modified mode was good (chi2= 1052.30, RMSEA=.05, GFI=.90, AGFI=.86, NFI=.97, and CFI=.98). The reliability of the PSYNIS was .95 (Cronbach's alpha). CONCLUSION: Results of the present study suggest that the PSYNIS is useful for efficiently evaluation of the image of psychiatric nurses.