ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of the nurse working in acute inpatient psychiatric settings. It explores the purpose of acute psychiatric admission wards and the tensions implicit in the provision of nursing care against a backdrop of psychiatric treatment and/or containment. The interpersonal focus of nursing work is highlighted as the essential therapeutic approach required when supporting people in acute distress. The chapter considers the difficulties associated with providing acute psychiatric care in hospital settings and explores alternatives to hospital-based acute inpatient psychiatric care. It focuses on the role of nurses in acute inpatient psychiatric units, nurses are members of a much broader multi-professional team, which commonly includes psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists and members of community mental health teams or agencies. Acute inpatient care is multi-professionally focused and it is essential to adopt a team approach to providing timely medical, nursing and social support.
