Perceptions of the role of the community psychiatric nurse

This small-scale study explores the self-perceived differences between the contributions of community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) and other members of a multidisciplinary community mental health team for older people.

Four CPNs and five other professionals completed questionnaires consisting of a series of open-ended questions (initially designed for a semistructured interview) in order to collect qualitative responses. The questionnaires were analysed on a thematic basis.

CPNs' skills seemed to be recognised and valued by their multidisciplinary colleagues. However, the CPNs did not always appear to appreciate this, while the attributes identified by CPNs were not always the same as those identified by their colleagues. There did not appear to be any consensus among the CPNs yet their colleagues seemed to feel the CPN role was reasonably clear.

This study suggests the CPN role involves taking a relationship-based, person-centred approach in which adaptability and flexibility are key characteristics. The results are largely consistent with other findings and demonstrate the need to nurture the contributions made by CPNs as autonomous practitioners in multidisciplinary settings providing care for older people with dementia.