The psychiatric clinical specialist in the general hospital

The author describes her experience as a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist functioning independently in a general hospital in a variety of roles. Seven areas of involvement illustrate the wide range of patient, staff, and other needs which this nurse specialist can meet. The author wishes to thank Joanne Damon, R.N., Sandra Zion, R.N., Dorothy Markay, R.N., and Rachel Rotkovitch, R.N., for their advice, encouragement, and support, and Florence Williams, R.N., who provided clinical supervision.