The profile of nurses in psychiatric units: Istanbul sample

Abstract

Introduction: nurses are the backbone of the workforce in mental healthcare. However, profile studies of nurses working in mental health services are limited, and provide inadequate qualitative and quantitative evidence about the characteristics, roles and functions of nurses who work in psychiatric settings. The aim of this study was to examine and provide a profile of nurses working in Istanbul psychiatric care units. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional design was used to analyze the personal characteristics, work conditions, and job-related experiences of 307 nurses working in psychiatric service units in Istanbul in 2018-2019. Data were collected using a 46-question digital survey of personal and professional experiences, services performed, and work conditions. Results: the nurses’ responses revealed that they felt that the patient/nurse ratio was insufficient and that the physical environment was inadequate, there was a lack of sufficient safety, and insufficient support personnel. Nurses still fulfill a very traditional role in psychiatric settings. Discussion and conclusion: this study illustrates some of the work-related concerns and experiences of nurses serving in psychiatric service units. A greater focus on personal, recovery-centered care according to evidence-based standards for the patient/nurse ratio and other international criteria and knowledge is needed. / Amaç: hemşireler, ruh sağlığı hizmetlerindeki işgücünün bel kemiğidir. Ancak ruh sağlığı hizmetleri ile ilgili profil araştırmalarında psikiyatri alanında çalışan hemşirelerin özellikleri, rolleri ve işlevleri hakkında niteliksel ve niceliksel kanıtlar yetersizdir. Bu araştırma, psikiyatrik bakım hizmeti verilen birimlerde çalışan hemşirelerin profilini ortaya çıkarmayı amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve yöntem: tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel nitelikteki çalışma, İstanbul'da 2017–2019 yıllarında psikiyatri servislerinde çalışan 307 hemşirenin kişisel ve mesleki özelliklerini ortaya koymak amacıyla uygulandı. Veriler, kişisel ve mesleki deneyimler, hizmet sunumu ve çalışma koşulları hakkındaki 46 soruluk bir dijital anket ile toplandı. Bulgular: çalışmanın bulguları hasta/hemşire oranının yetersiz olduğunu ve uygun olmayan fiziksel ortam, güvenlik eksikliği ve destek personeli eksikliğinin hemşireler tarafından en çok dile getirilen sorunlar olduğunu göstermiştir. Hemşireler psikiyatri birimlerinde hala geleneksel rolleri yerine getirmektedirler. Sonuç: bu çalışma, psikiyatri birimlerinde çalışan hemşirelerin mesleki durumlarını bir ayna gibi yansıtmaktadır. Psikiyatri alanında ki hemşirelerin, çalışmalarının odağını birey ve iyileşme merkezli bakıma çevirmeleri gerekmektedir. Psikiyatri yatan hasta birimlerinde hasta/hemşire oranı için kanıta dayalı standartlar bulunmamaktadır. Psikiyatri servislerinde hemşire kadrolarının uluslararası ve çağdaş kriterlere göre incelenmesi gerekmektedir. / Introduction: nurses are the backbone of the workforce in mental healthcare. However, profile studies of nurses working in mental health services are limited, and provide inadequate qualitative and quantitative evidence about the characteristics, roles and functions of nurses who work in psychiatric settings. The aim of this study was to examine and provide a profile of nurses working in Istanbul psychiatric care units. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional design was used to analyze the personal characteristics, work conditions, and job-related experiences of 307 nurses working in psychiatric service units in Istanbul in 2018-2019. Data were collected using a 46-question digital survey of personal and professional experiences, services performed, and work conditions. Results: the nurses’ responses revealed that they felt that the patient/nurse ratio was insufficient and that the physical environment was inadequate, there was a lack of sufficient safety, and insufficient support personnel. Nurses still fulfill a very traditional role in psychiatric settings. Discussion and conclusion: this study illustrates some of the work-related concerns and experiences of nurses serving in psychiatric service units. A greater focus on personal, recovery-centered care according to evidence-based standards for the patient/nurse ratio and other international criteria and knowledge is needed.