Psychiatric nursing: a feminist perspective on nursing practice

Abstract

To date there has been little research in psychiatric nursing in New Zealand. International research in this area has tended to concentrate on educational and administrative aspects while research by professionals outside of nursing has been given a medical perspective. This small qualitative study explores issues that arise out of practice for a group of experienced female psychiatric nurses. Data collection strategies included in depth semi structured interviews and focus groups. The data was analysed using themes as the unit of analysis and feminist perspectives were incorporated into analysing the findings. Nurses in this study agreed that gender was an important issue for them in their practice. Gender was discussed in relation to diagnosis and treatment of clients and in relation to the nursing care provided by female and male nurses. Nurses also recognised the need to negotiate relationships that they had with clients, with peers and with management differently. These negotiations raised questions about the power dynamics inherent in these relationships.