An Exploration of Essentials of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the essentials of psychiatric and mental health nursing by identifying the care experience of the psychiatric nurses. METHODS: Eleven psychiatric nurses were recruited across five geographical areas in the Korea. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews from two focus groups, which were analyzed with an inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Participants constructed two categories including ‘nursing tasks for the client’ and ‘nursing tasks for the organization’. Subcategories of nursing tasks for the client are ‘staying alert on crisis prevention’, ‘leading them to be real with eager and persistent will’, ‘nursing beyond role boundaries’, ‘tuning the needs of clients' family’, ‘taking journey with clients' personal life history’, and ‘doing invisible but recognizable nursing’. Subcategories of nursing tasks for the organization are ‘working as a responsible team member’, ‘integrating team competencies at the center of team’, and ‘balancing protection and control’. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric nurses played professional and holistic care roles for the clients, and managerial roles for the organizations. This study provides essential data for defining psychiatric nursing and estimating the appropriate ratio of psychiatric nursing staffing.