An Analysis of Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing through the Junctures of History, Gender, Nursing Education, and Quality of Work Life in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan

Abstract

A society that values mental health and helps people live enjoyable and meaningful lives is a clear aspiration echoed throughout our Canadian health care system. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has put forth a framework for a mental health strategy with goals that reflect the virtue of optimal mental health for all Canadians (Mental Health Commission Canada, 2009). Canadian nurses, the largest group of health care workers, have a vital role in achieving these goals. In Canada, two-thirds of those who experience mental health problems do not receive mental health services (Statistics Canada, 2003). Through a gendered, critical, and sociological perspective the goal of this paper is to further understand how the past has shaped the present state of psychiatric mental health nursing (PMHN). This integrative literature review offers a depiction of Canadian PMHN in light of the intersections of history, gender, education, and quality of nursing work life. Fourteen articles were selected, which provide a partial reflection of contemporary Canadian PMHN. Findings include the association between gender and professional status, inconsistencies in psychiatric nursing education, and the limitations for Canadian nurse practitioners to advance the role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Postgraduate Education in Psychiatric Nursing in Israel: Closing the Gap

“…Furthermore, there is a need to define the mental health nurse's roles, scope of practice and authority, as this lack of clarity is leading the way for other health professions and care givers to adapt some of the roles and functions (Elsom et al, 2005;Holmes, 2006;Smith & Khanlou, 2013). Last but not least are the potential stresses and added weight of responsibility which often accompany the expansion of legal powers and duties (Laing, 2012).…”

“…In some cases, there is confusion regarding the scope of practice (psychotherapy, prescription medication, etc.) (Hanrahan et al, 2010;Smith & Khanlou, 2013) -both in hospital settings and in community care.…”

“…As mental health care is no longer confined to institutional settings and mental health training is pertinent to all areas of health care, the need for advanced mental health education is relevant to all healthcare settings where nurses practice (Smith & Khanlou, 2013).…”

Dearth of literature on barriers to provision of psychiatric nursing care in Nigeria: Findings from a literature review

“…Literature review revealed environmental factors that constitute barriers to provision of psychiatric nursing care in high-income economies. In four different studies conducted in Turkey and Australia, lack of a family-centred environment, poor/unfavourable working conditions and a noisy and busy environment were reported to constitute barriers to provision of psychiatric nursing care (Eren, 2014;Innes et al, 2014;McAllister and Moyle, 2008;Smith and Khanlou, 2013). Other environment-related barriers to provision of psychiatric nursing care highlighted in the literature are limitations in the work setting and hazards in the physical environment (Brennan et al, 2006;Innes et al, 2014;Weiland et al, 2011;Yadav and Fealy, 2012).…”

“…According to Chevalier et al (2006) the greatest barrier to provision of psychiatric care is lack of knowledge by the public of the existence of advanced practice roles of psychiatric nurses and lack of understanding of the role of psychiatric nurses by other health professionals. Relationship-related barriers to provision of psychiatric care have been identified in the literature, and include lack or poor strengthening of the utilisation of acquired skills and competences by managers, lack of training and education support from psychiatric nursing managers, and unhealthy attitudes of nurse managers toward issues of autonomy and professionalism (Greenall, 2006;Mathers, 2014;Smith and Khanlou, 2013). Other relationship-related barriers which psychiatric nurses face while providing psychiatric care which are highlighted in the literature include difficulty in obtaining patients' vital information from relatives and overbearing attitudes (like opposition to treatment provision) of the patients' relatives (Wong, 2014;Innes et al, 2014;Jackson and Morrissette, 2014).…”