ICU nurses feel unprepared to care for patients with mental illness: A survey of nurses’ attitudes, knowledge, and skills

Objectives: To examine the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a cohort of Australian nurses towards caring for patients with mental illness in the intensive care unit. Research design: A questionnaire was developed and distributed via internal email to all nurses working in the study intensive care unit. Responses were anonymous. Setting: A metropolitan intensive care unit located in Melbourne, Australia. Main outcome measures: Intenisve care nurses completed a 76-question self-administered questionnaire. Results: Forty intensive care nurses completed the survey, a response rate of 35.7% (n = 40/112). Respondents were predominantly female (82.5%) and held a post-graduate qualification (62.5%). ICU nurses felt that they needed further training and education to care for patients with mental illness in the intensive care unit. While respondents were empathetic to this patient group, negative stereotypes and stigma were reported by some participants. The pressures of the environment were perceived barriers to delivering optimal person-centred care for patients with mental illness. Conclusion: This sample of nurses felt they require education and support in order to care for patients with mental illness in the intenisve care unit. Further education may also help to reduce negative perceptions of this patient group.