A transatlantic phenomenological study of why student psychiatric/mental health nurses chose their profession

Clarke, Victoria Sylvia Dorothy (2018). A transatlantic phenomenological study of why student psychiatric/mental health nurses chose their profession. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Aim: Ascertain why student nurses choose Psychiatric/Mental Health nursing.

Background: There is a global shortage of nurses. There are problems with recruitment and retention. Research about students’ reasons for choosing this field remains limited. The literature review discusses the reasons students choose the field and qualified nurses’ reasons for staying or leaving.

Design: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study, using semi-structured interview of 15 participants from three United Kingdom and one American University.

Findings: Reasons for choice included personal or family mental health experiences; learning about and fixing themselves; improving services; expectations of transformation and healing, and developing therapeutic relationships. Participants stayed on their course because of relationships with patients and the health care team. Like qualified nurses, participants’ experiences with patients provided evidence of trauma; use of coping strategies and developing resilience. Participants indicated they considered leaving due to being inadequately prepared for working particularly in the face of violence/aggression; trauma; poor welcome and loss of supportive relationships.

Conclusions: Key motivator is personal experience of mental health issues. In practice, qualified nurses need to be enabled to be supportive of students including providing clinical supervision. Students need enhanced education on trauma, de-escalation, safety, loss and resiliency.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):