Journeys to the essence of being a mental health nurse: a collaborative autoethnography

Whybrow, Dean ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9066-6196, Holman, Graham and Jones, Gerwyn 2022. Journeys to the essence of being a mental health nurse: a collaborative autoethnography. British Journal of Mental Health Nursing 11 (4 (S)) , pp. 22-33. 10.12968/bjmh.2022.0035

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Abstract

Background/Aims Mental health nursing is a contested territory, with different approaches to education and service delivery worldwide. This international study offers a unique perspective on the essence of mental health care in nursing practice. Methods This collaborative autoethnography involved three mental health nurses exploring their individual and shared experiences through written narratives and a reflexive process. Results The a priori themes were our individual journeys into nursing; our individual arrival at an implicit and explicit understanding of what it means to be a mental health nurse; and our collective understanding of the essence of mental health nursing. Conclusions Life experiences, however varied, combined with effective communication and collaboration, contribute positively to developing an identity as a mental health nurse. Therefore, nurse 2 educators and preceptors should share their journey to the essence of mental health nursing to inspire hope, map out pathways and shape values.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Additional Information:	This article is published in the Autoethnography and Mental Health Nursing Supplement of this issue.
Publisher:	MA Healthcare
ISSN:	2052-496X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 December 2022
Date of Acceptance:	7 November 2022
Last Modified:	16 Nov 2023 15:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/154695

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