Organisational Considerations for Supporting Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in Practice

Abstract

It is estimated that by 2020 15% of the world’s population will be affected by mental illness requiring an inpatient hospital admission. Registered nurses are the largest health care discipline working within inpatient mental health care settings however there is a growing international shortage of registered nurses choosing to work within this specialty. Research reports that issues such as workplace violence, stress and limited career structure are the primary reasons cited by registered nurses for not choosing to work in mental health care. This paper reports on the findings of a study that explored the workplace practices and experiences of registered nurses currently working within an acute inpatient facility. Thirteen mental health nurses participated. Individual interviews and focus groups were used to collect the data. A major theme to emerge from the study was Therapeutic relationships. The theme outlined the expertise required to effectively care for clients experiencing mental illness within this environment and the positive rewards experienced by nurses within the therapeutic relationship. A sense of strength, professional pride and dedication emerged from the research data and a distinctive new vision of mental health nursing was defined.