CHALLENGES OF NURSES CARING FOR MENTAL PATIENTS AT PANTANG HOSPITAL

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are estimated to contribute to 13% of the global burden of disease and the figures are expected to increase by 15% in 2030 (World Health Organization, 2011). The study sought to find out the challenges faced by nurses caring for mentally ill patients at Pantang Hospital. The intended study design was a descriptive study design. The researchers sought to collect data using semi structured questionnaires among 100 nurses. The intended data analysis tool was Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Discussion from the literature indicate that, unrest, stigma, lack of resources, and mental health system are key challenges for nurses caring for mentally ill patients. Other important challenges were unavailability of drugs, insecurity, limited resources, poor facilities, staff shortage, relapses and stigmatization. Depression is the associated factors contributing to challenges of Mental Health nurses. Additionally, shortage of staff, increased workload and burnout to contribute to the challenges of nurses in mental hospitals. Major coping strategies of stress among nurses are expression of feelings instead of bottling them up, accepting the things one cannot change and time management. The study recommended that, the government should provide the needed logistics for nurses to ease their work at mental hospitals and educate the public to avoid stigmatization.