Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Experiences of nurses caring for mental health care users in an acute admission unit at a psychiatric hospital in the Western Cape Province
Submitted: 27 March 2015 | Published: 18 December 2015
About the author(s)
Zintle C. Sobekwa, Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaSathasivan Arunachallam, School of Nursing, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Caring for mental health care users (MHCUs) with mental illnesses is a major task that confronts nurses globally. It has been argued that caring for this group of patients is accompanied by unique challenges. Despite the available abundance of data about nursing patients suffering from mental illnesses, little is known about the lived experiences of nurses who care for MHCUs in acute admission units in the Western Cape province.
Objectives: This study’s aim is to explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses who care for MHCUs in an acute admission unit at a psychiatric hospital in the Western Capeprovince.
Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological study was conducted. A purposive sampling procedure was applied which resulted in a sample that comprised eight nurses. Indepth, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with these eight participants. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and the researcher utilised Collaizzi’s method to analyse collected data.
Results: Both positive and negative experiences were reported. Positive experiences werethe recovery of patients, teamwork, and passion for caring. Negative experiences were thefeelings of being unappreciated and unsupported by authorities. Physical assault by MHCUs,shortage of staff, increased workload and burnout was also reported.
Conclusions: In-service training about management of aggression needs to be provided,debriefing sessions to deal with burnout needs to be arranged, and research to quantify levelsof burnout should be conducted.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6517Total article views: 12218
Crossref Citations
1. Health and Social Care Professionals’ Experience of Psychological Safety Within Their Occupational Setting: A Thematic Synthesis Review
Nicola Peddie, Josephine Hoegh, Gemma Rice, Shruti Shetty, Aoife Ure, Nicola Cogan
Nursing Reports vol: 15 issue: 4 first page: 131 year: 2025
doi: 10.3390/nursrep15040131
2. Lived experiences of psychiatric patients with mood disorders who attended group therapy facilitated by professional psychiatric nurses
Hester M.P. Visagie, Marie Poggenpoel, Chris Myburgh
Curationis vol: 43 issue: 1 year: 2020
doi: 10.4102/curationis.v43i1.2114
3. Encountering Adults With Schizophrenia in Home Settings: A Qualitative Study of Home Health Care Nurses' Experiences
Chimezie J. Agomoh, Kechi Iheduru‐Anderson
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing vol: 34 issue: 4 year: 2025
doi: 10.1111/inm.70125
4. Psychiatric nurses advocating for the human rights of mental health care users in Gauteng
Nompumelelo Ntshingila, Annie Temane, Marie Poggenpoel, Masodi E. Makhale
South African Journal of Psychiatry vol: 30 year: 2024
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2233
5. Novice Nurses' Communication Skills When Addressing Aggression in Individuals Experiencing Psychosis: The Role of Emotional Regulation Capacity
Rasha Salah Eweida, Eman Ghallab, Fiona Ng, Nashwa Ibrahim
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services vol: 60 issue: 1 first page: 23 year: 2022
doi: 10.3928/02793695-20210623-04
6. Analysis of the Nurse’s Behavior toward Helping a Patient with a Mental Health Problem: A Systematic Review
Darni Darni, Siti Khadijah, Sitti Sulaihah
Jurnal Ners vol: 14 issue: 3 first page: 267 year: 2020
doi: 10.20473/jn.v14i3.17146
7. What accounts for turnover intention in the Australian public mental health workforce?
Darren Haywood, Kaitlyn M. Crocker, Inge Gnatt, Zoe Jenkins, Ravi Bhat, Anoop Raveendran Nair Lalitha, Ingrid Butterfield, David J. Castle
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing vol: 33 issue: 2 first page: 359 year: 2024
doi: 10.1111/inm.13233
8. Gauteng mental healthcare providers’ understanding of cultural and religious illnesses
Ellen M. Mathapo-Thobakgale, Fhumulani Mulaudzi, Roinah N. Ngunyulu
South African Family Practice vol: 67 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.5779
9. ‘We are working in specialty units’—An exploratory qualitative study
Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni, Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa, Mary Maluleke, Vusiwana Patricia Letlalo, Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha, Duppy Manyuma, Langanani Makhado, Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso
Nursing Open vol: 11 issue: 9 year: 2024
doi: 10.1002/nop2.70041
10. Psikiyatri Servisinde Çalışan Hemşirelerin Bakım Vermekte Zorlandıkları Klinik Durumların Belirlenmesi
Nazmiye Yıldırım, Melisa Bulut
Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi vol: 7 issue: 3 first page: 373 year: 2024
doi: 10.54189/hbd.1508927
11. Working conditions in a mental health institution: An exploratory study of professional nurses in Limpopo province, South Africa
Ndivhuwo P. Mulaudzi, Ntsieni S. Mashau, Henry A. Akinsola, Tinotenda S. Murwira
Curationis vol: 43 issue: 1 year: 2020
doi: 10.4102/curationis.v43i1.2081
12. Factors limiting presence: Perceptions of nurses working in a public psychiatric hospital
Precious S. Motshabi, Emmerentia du Plessis, Francois Watson
Curationis vol: 45 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/curationis.v45i1.2377
13. Challenges confronting nurses caring for persons diagnosed with intellectual disability at a Mental Health Institution in Gauteng, South Africa
Lily Keneilwe Motswasele-Sikwane , Thekiso Azariel Moeletsi, Andile Glodin Mokoena-De Beer
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) vol: 13 issue: 2 first page: 276 year: 2024
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v13i2.3144
14. “I Personally Wouldn’t Know Where to Go”: Adolescents’ Perceptions of Mental Health Services
John Goodwin, Eileen Savage, Aine O’Donovan
Journal of Adolescent Research vol: 39 issue: 5 first page: 1384 year: 2024
doi: 10.1177/07435584221076056
15. Self-reported incidents of violence towards nurses working in acute psychiatric units
Ntombiyakhe Bekelepi, Penelope Martin
Curationis vol: 46 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/curationis.v46i1.2350
16. Resilience of auxiliary nurses providing nursing care to patients with intellectual disabilities at a public mental healthcare institution
Steven D.M. Nthekang, Emmerentia Du Plessis
Curationis vol: 42 issue: 1 year: 2019
doi: 10.4102/curationis.v42i1.1954
17. Interpersonal violence experienced by nurses caring for persons with intellectual disability: A phenomenological study
Andile Glodin Mokoena-de Beer, Mmasetlhaba Ruth Ledwaba, Lily Keneilwe Motswasele-Sikwane
Journal of Psychology in Africa vol: 34 issue: 2 first page: 154 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/14330237.2024.2335864
18. Mental health nurses’ views of ward readmission: A focus group study in Brunei Darussalam
Karmayunika Khamsiah Haji Kassim, Mas Salina Haji Md Safar, Agong Lupat, Yusrita Zolkefli
Belitung Nursing Journal vol: 7 issue: 5 first page: 402 year: 2021
doi: 10.33546/bnj.1666
19. Burnout and job satisfaction of nursing staff in a South African acute mental health setting
Anthea Payne, Liezl Koen, Daniel J.H. Niehaus, Inge-Marli Smit
South African Journal of Psychiatry vol: 26 year: 2020
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1454
20. Exploring primary mental healthcare nurses’ perceptions of the post-treatment needs of women admitted for psychiatric treatment
Khelsey Fraser, Hannah Lukic, Koketso Nelly Mamabolo, Amy-Jean Viljoen, Shannen Ferreira, Xolisa Gwadiso, Sinesipho Jenkins, Warona Mateane, Munene Nkuna, Tracey-Ann Adonis, Maria Florence, Serena Ann Isaacs, Kyle Jackson
South African Journal of Psychology vol: 54 issue: 1 first page: 65 year: 2024
doi: 10.1177/00812463231219932