The tasks of psychiatric nurses in long-term residential settings in The Netherlands

The tasks of the psychiatric nurse, working in long-term psychiatric settings, are described and analysed in this study. A questionnaire was completed by 361 nurses in five different psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands. Nurses appear to concentrate upon personal care tasks in and around their ward. This does not fit adequately the changes in psychiatric practice. By means of an externally oriented hospital policy, cooperation with other care agencies and a realization of a more patient-orientated and rehabilitation model of care, the nurse is better prepared for helping patients make their move to the community.