The attitudes, knowledge and skills needed in mental health nurses: The perspective of users of mental health services*
Sharon E. Rydon,
Corresponding Author
Sharon E. Rydon
School of Health Sciences, Albany Campus, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Sharon E. Rydon, M. Phil (Nursing), RPN, RGON, BA.
Sharon E. Rydon, Manukau Institute of Technology, Newbury Street, Private Bag 94006, Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSharon E. Rydon,
Corresponding Author
Sharon E. Rydon
School of Health Sciences, Albany Campus, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Sharon E. Rydon, M. Phil (Nursing), RPN, RGON, BA.
Sharon E. Rydon, Manukau Institute of Technology, Newbury Street, Private Bag 94006, Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author*
This research was undertaken as partial fulfilment of the requirement of a degree of Master in Philosophy (Nursing) through Massey University, Albany Campus, Private Bag 102 904, Northshore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Consent for the project was, therefore, obtained through Massey University's Human Ethics Committee (Albany) and the Auckland Ethics Committee, Auckland. As the author is employed at Manukau Institute of Technology, Newbury Street, Private Bag 94006, Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand, research funding was obtained from that institution's Research and Ethics Committee.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Knowledge about the practice and roles of mental health nurses in New Zealand is currently limited. In a sociopolitical climate where the views of users of mental health services are increasingly incorporated into education and the planning and delivery of services, there is a need for research that reflects the perspective of users. In this study a qualitative descriptive methodology with focus group interviews was used to explore with users of mental health services, the attitudes, knowledge and skills that they need in mental health nurses. Users of mental health services valued the therapeutic work of mental health nurses, and identified positive attitudes towards users of mental health services as essential in mental health nurses. However, they did not consistently experience a therapeutic approach in their interactions with mental health nurses.
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