Community psychiatric nurses: their self-perceived roles

The self-perceived role of 16 community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) were analysed with reference to four conceptual models of psychiatric illness. The roles discussed by the CPNs echoed many of those found in previous research. Overall the CPNs used different models of illness when discussing various aspects of their roles. It is believed that the models of illness preferred by CPNs may be a useful reflection of the role they may have in caring for different client groups.