Educational needs of psychiatric nurses for continuing competency.
BACKGROUND
Practice setting diversification has created an increased need for psychiatric nurses to assume more independent roles, while at the same time being able to demonstrate the corresponding degree of competency to practice. Psychiatric nurses were invited to share their perceptions concerning changes occurring in mental health care, proactive strategies for participating in these changes, and educational opportunities to ensure continuing competency to practice.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with psychiatric nurses located in various Regional Health Authorities in southern and central regions of Manitoba, Canada.


RESULTS
Research findings suggest that psychiatric nurses are primarily concerned with balancing the requirement to demonstrate continuing competence to practice with the challenges associated with the evolving mental healthcare system.


CONCLUSIONS
If the requirement for continuing competence is to be reasonable and achievable, it will be essential that the program generate insight into the necessity for such a program to be implemented and acquire support among the registered psychiatric nurse membership.
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards