HAPPINESS: PSYCHIATRIC NURSES’ WORKING POINT OF VIEW IN GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY PATIENT CARE

Abstract

               Objective: To study the psychiatric nurses’ happiness and working point of view in geriatric psychiatry patient care.

               Methods: Using case-study approach, this qualitative research was performed in 10 psychiatric nurses with more than seven years of working experience at Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry. Purposive sampling method was used. Data were collected by using personnel information questionnaire, happiness level questionnaire, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, structured interview, and non-participant observation.

               Results: The sampled psychiatric nurses were found with have high levels of present and overall happiness (mean = 7.8 and 90.8, respectively). The work characteristics were in accordance with nursing standards for improving the geriatric psychiatry patients’ well-being according to their potential. Multidisciplinary team took part in the evaluation and caring processes for both physical and mental health problems. Perceiving patients’ deteriorated physical condition, comorbid illness, and psychiatric symptoms from dementia, the psychiatric nurses found themselves discomforting and pity those patients, but, with their previous educational background, were able to cope with the feelings and keep them at the level of empathy. The nurses regarded their feelings as the fact of life and their work as helping and a merit making.

               Conclusion: The sampled psychiatric nurses felt content when caring for geriatric psychiatry patients. They performed their duty according to nursing standards.