title: A qualitative study of mental health nurse identities: many roles, one profession.
abstract: The aim of the study was to clarify and build upon current understandings of mental health nurse (MHN) identity. The study adopted a framework of social constructionism and qualitative methodology. Semistructured interviews were conducted, which were thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Twenty-five MHN were recruited across three geographical sites in the UK. Participants constructed a cluster of seven MHN identity characteristics that constituted a unique contribution to talk-based therapies. These themes of characteristics are: (i) the MHN as generic specialist; (ii) the MHN as adopting a service-user focus; (iii) the MHN as positioning and utilizing the personal self; (iv) the MHN as spending time with the service user; (v) the MHN as delivering talk-based therapies in versatile ways; (vi) the MHN as having an everyday attitude; and (vii) the MHN as having transferable skills. The distinctiveness, and thus, professional identity of mental health nursing, must be understood as a cluster of capabilities rather than a search for a singular point of difference. The breadth of capabilities employed by MHN highlights the value and worth of their contribution to service-user care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, Scotland. j.m.hurley@dundee.ac.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hurley
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom