[Work satisfaction of psychiatric nurses]

A demanding clientele, the social stigma of working in a psychiatric institution and a lack of professional support are factors that discourage psychiatric nurses from staying in their profession. Because of this, there is the potential risk of decreasing nursing's contribution to psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation--thereby compromising the quality of health care. In light of this, a research study was carried out to look at job satisfaction of psychiatric nurses in four Quebec hospitals. The study aimed to identify the direct repercussions on nurses caring for hospitalized psychiatric patients. The results of the study indicate that both staff nurses and nurse managers alike suffer a marked sense of job dissatisfaction. The key element is the apparent prioritization of administrative functions above clinical functions. The study recommended that necessary adjustments be made to create a favorable milieu that stimulates rehabilitation. The authors propose to enhance professional competence by making less bureaucratic demands on nurses; increasing the value of direct patient care; increasing professional supervision; providing more inservice education, and diminishing the hierarchial structure--thereby favoring clinical nursing practice.