psychiatric nursing, the branch of nursing concerned with the prevention, care, and cure of mental disorders and their sequelae. It uses theories of human behavior as its scientific framework and requires the use of the self as its art or expression in nursing practice. Some of the activities of the psychiatric nurse include providing a safe therapeutic milieu; working with patients or clients on the real day-to-day problems they face; identifying and caring for the physical aspects of the patient’s problems, including drug therapy reactions; assuming the role of social agent or parent for the patient in various recreational, occupational, and social situations; conducting psychotherapy; and providing leadership and clinical assistance for other nurses and health care workers. Psychiatric nurses work in many settings; their responsibilities vary with the setting and with the level of expertise, experience, and training of the individual nurse. Also called mental health nursing.
