title: The human factor.
abstract: Defining the core activity of psychiatric nursing is helpful if the discipline seeks professionalization. A definition offers a sense of stability within the current culture of change in care provision. However, core activity may be incongruent with postmodern ideas and practice. The paper attempts to square this circle. It addresses the complexity of describing core activity when this is based on implicit knowledge of practice, based in art rather than science. Using a phenomenological research approach, the research involved encouraging psychiatric nurses within residential schemes to consider the meaning of their concrete activity. Initial findings suggest that the core activity is working with extraordinary people within 'ordinary' relationships, and in 'ordinary' contexts.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Concern, Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires