Manager nurses’ views on the employment of consultation-liaison psychiatry nurses: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine the views of manager nurses on the employment of consultation-liaison psychiatry nurses.
METHODS: The study was conducted with an exploratory qualitative research design. The study group consisted of 20 nurses working in managerial positions. A total of five focus group interviews were conducted with three to five participants. Data were collected online using a semi-structured interview form between September 2023 and February 2024 and analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Four main themes and 10 sub-themes emerged from the analysis. The themes were decision-making (number of nurses, unit), dilemma (need, luxury), benefits (patients and patient relatives, staff and profession, managers and institution), and the road map (being visible, boundaries, empowerment).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study, nurse managers find the employment of consultation-liaison psychiatry nurses important, necessary, and useful. However, it is stated that priority cannot be given with the current number of nurses and it is suggested that this field should be introduced more, exemplary practices should be known, their contributions should be demonstrated with evidence, the need for trained manpower in this field and necessary legal regulations should be made. Psychiatric nurses have important duties in expanding the employment of consultation-liaison psychiatry nurses.