title: The work and values of mental health nurses observed.
abstract: While there is agreement among stakeholders that change is required in mental healthcare, yet the precise nature of this change and how it should be brought about are relatively under-explored. Research has looked at developments taking place in primary mental health services, but relatively little has examined the work of community mental health nurses (CMHNs), especially those working at the interface between primary and secondary care. This study used a 39-item questionnaire to explore how CMHNs perceive their role and the degree to which they are able to carry it out. The findings suggests that while CMHNs are enthusiastic about their work and are keen to see mental health services develop in primary care, many are concerned about how they are perceived by other health personnel, deficiencies in their therapeutic skills and the level of support they currently receive. The study concludes by suggesting areas that managers, commissioners and educators should target to enable CMHNs to continue to play their part in a service that relies heavily upon them.
authors.affiliation: South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dyke
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom