Educating the Educators: Determining the Uniqueness of Psychiatric Nursing Practice to Inform Psychiatric Nurse Education

Abstract

A study regarding the role and uniqueness of psychiatric nursing was conducted with 94 participants from Manitoba, Canada. The primary theme of comprehensive knowledge of mental health, mental illness, and addictions was foundational for the application of the sub-themes of therapeutic relationship, holistic approach, recovery orientation, stigma reduction, and advocacy for change. Values, beliefs, and attitudes towards people with mental illness and addictions need to be instilled in psychiatric nursing students throughout their educational program to provide high quality, compassionate, and safe care. Implications for incorporation of the theme and sub-themes into psychiatric nursing curriculum are described in the paper.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a Faculty of Health Studies Research Grant #2389, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.