Factors affecting mental health nurses working with clients with first-episode psychosis: A qualitative study

Introduction: Although there is much research on mental health nurses working with individuals presenting with psychosis, there is a lack of knowledge about the factors that impact the experience of nurses in the presentation specifically of first-time psychosis. Aim: This study aimed to explore the factors that impact on the experience of mental health nurses working with individuals and their families who present with a first-time psychosis. Method: This qualitative study was conducted through individual semi-structured interviews with eight mental health nurses recruited from community mental health settings with a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience. Data were then subjected to a thematic content analysis. Results: This study identified the importance of therapeutic engagement, as well as the need to have clear pathways to care and building capacity through clinical supervision and training when working with this population. Implications for practice: Mental Health nurses should engage with additional training, formalized clinical supervision and avail of peer support in order to improve confidence, skills and quality of care, leading to better therapeutic engagement. Pathways to care should be embedded within the wider community to ensure ease of access for individuals and their families. There should be more recognition of the social impact on the individual during untreated psychosis with regard to isolation and withdrawal as well as factors which also affect help-seeking behaviours.