Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing Course: Students’ Attitudes and Career Choices

Abstract

Abstract: The Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (PMHN) is a therapeutic interpersonal process based on the concept of caring. So, mental health care may be regarded as a paramount to human well-being, family relationships and society. Nonetheless, many evidences refer to the shortage of PMHNs in Egypt and worldwide. This may attribute to the perception of mental health as a stigma in coming societies which negatively affect the nurses’ attitudes toward PMHN and its future career. This study aimed to determine the effect of attending PMHN course on student’s attitudes and their career choice in the Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University. A Pre-post test experimental design was used. The sample of this study consisted of 128 Bachelor nursing students (4th year) who had attended in PMHN Course. Two tools were used for data collection. First; questionnaire was designed to depict the demographic characteristics including gender, age, and residence, marital status, place of clinical area. Second; questionnaire was developed to assess students' attitude toward PMHN and identify factors affecting their carrier choice regarding Psychiatric Mental/ Health field. Results of this study revealed that most of the nursing students have positive attitudes with regard to the PMHN. As well, the study indicated significant changes in the students’ attitudes toward mental illness and PMHN career after the completion of the course theory and practice. Conclusion: Most of studied nursing students have positive attitudes and attraction to the PMHN after completion of the PMHN course. Recommendation: career guidance sessions should be provided for the nursing students through graduations ceremonies or orientations to assist them to make decisions regarding their future careers.