title: Experiences and Perceptions of Nursing Staff Working With Long-Stay Patients in a High Secure Psychiatric Hospital Setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Forensic psychiatric nursing is a demanding nursing specialty that deals with a highly complex group of patients who are detained in restrictive environments, often for lengthy periods. There is little information about the daily experiences of these nurses. This study sought to explore the roles and relationships of forensic psychiatric nurses with long-stay patients in a high secure hospital in England.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study obtained data via three focus groups, and thematic analysis was carried out using NVIVO 10 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five prominent themes emerged: First, nurses elaborated on their roles with patients and the kinds of interactions they had with them. The next two themes explored the reasons why some patients are long-stay patients and the challenges nurses face while working with this group. The fourth theme was the impact of external support, such as the patient's families, on length of stay. The final theme covered the changes that the nurses observed in these patients and in themselves over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was noticeable that those interviewed were committed professionals, eager to provide an optimistic and hopeful environment for the patients to help them progress through "the system". The study presents a number of pertinent issues regarding long-stay patients that provide a basis for further research and to inform policy, educational reforms, and clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. Source of Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Health Services and Delivery Research Programme (HS&DR, Project number 11/1024/06). The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the HS&DR Programme, NIHR, National Health Service, or Department of Health.
authors.forename: Snigdha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Shazmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majid
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Völlm
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D053604:Forensic Nursing; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D006113:United Kingdom