SELF-HEALING EXPERIENCES AMONG PSYCHIATRIC NURSES WORKING DURING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS SITUATIONS IN THE SOUTHERNMOST PROVINCES OF THAILAND

Abstract

               Objective: This study aims to explore the working experiences among psychiatric nurses during violent situations, and the psychiatric nurses’ trajectory to overcome difficult situations in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.

               Methods: A qualitative study was used to explore psychiatric nurses’ experiences. Purposive sampling was employed for participant selection in the study. The informants who participated in the study were twenty psychiatric nurses from the three southernmost provinces. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used as interviewing tools to collect data, and content analysis was employed for data analysis.

               Results: The information revealed three categories of the effect of violence on the psychiatric nurses working; 1) the situation related to death and life; 2) this made them feel disconsolate and insecure, 3) as well as confused about their role during a crisis. Five strategies were used to lessen the psychiatric nurses’ stress, fear, and insecurity; 1) talking over a situation with friends at work and receiving support from friends, 2) relaxing by traveling to different places during leisure time, 3) exercising as they have a time; 4) praying or meditation training depending on the individual nurse’s beliefs; and 5) using the special psychiatric intervention experiences to heal themselves. The continued support provided at the work consists of five aspects; 1) support from friends at work, 2) the government and hospital director’s supportive, 3) the role of clearly defined working systems, 4) working in their hometown, and 5) their feeling of pride to be a psychiatric nurse to help heal others relief from grief and loss.

               Conclusion: The new knowledge from this study will be advantageous for the organization to support the psychiatric nurses and other healthcare providers to continue and appreciate their work and lessen the stress.