title: Role utilization of nurses in public psychiatry.
abstract: This study examined the professional, work and organizational characteristics, and the actual and preferred work activities of nurses employed by one state mental health agency. Findings include neutral ratings by this older and experienced group of nurses in relation to job satisfaction, work autonomy, and organizational commitment regardless of educational background or work setting. Specific activities of the nurses varied appropriately based on education, but differences emerged among functions performed by nurses in inpatient and community settings. All nurses preferred to increase their direct care activities and significantly reduce their clerical activities. Factors related to the appropriate utilization of public sector psychiatric nurses are analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Colleges of Nursing and Medicine, Center for Health Care Research, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. stuartgw@musc.edu
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Worley
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009736:Nursing Process; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011635:Public Health Administration; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce