Mental Health Nurse Definition
Title: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse
Date: March 2011
A Mental Health / Psychiatric Nurse is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “A graduate from a recognized, university level nursing school with specialization in mental health nursing. Psychiatric nurses are registered at the local nursing board (or equivalent) and work in a mental health care setting”. Furthermore a mental health nurse is described as holding “a specialist qualification in mental health and takes a holistic approach, guided by evidence, and works in collaboration with people who have mental health issues, their family and community, towards recovery as defined by the individual (Dr. Phil Barker).
Barker, P & Buchanan-Barker, P (2011)”Myth of mental health nursing and the challenge of recovery. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing pp1-7