Establishing the psychiatric liaison nurse role: collaboration with the nurse administrator

By helping patients, families, the hospital staff deal with the emotional effects of illness, the psychiatric liaison nurse plays a significant role in patients' healing. Since this type of role may be new to the organization, the psychiatric nurse and the nursing administrator must work in tandem to ensure successful role development and entry into the hospital system, both of which are crucial to the effectiveness of the liaison nurse. In our clinical experience, these issues need careful consideration and attention by both nurse administrators and psychiatric liaison nurses. We have attempted to provide practical considerations for facilitating the success of a psychiatric liaison nurse in the hospital system and justifying the value of this role.