The status of psychiatric nursing: characteristics and perceptions of nurses in the state of Michigan.

Concerned about the status of both mental health services and the role of professional nursing in the delivery of those services, the Michigan Nurses' Association Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Practice Section initiated a survey of psychiatric nurses in the state. One hundred forty psychiatric nurses returned questionnaires that explored their professional characteristics and activities, the characteristics of their clients, their perceptions of major issues confronting mental health services and psychiatric nursing and recommended actions, the perceived strengths of psychiatric nursing, and the skills and knowledge they believed are necessary for the future. Respondents are working with a variety of patients in difficult circumstances. Responses indicate the need for specialized knowledge and skills to provide care to mentally ill clients with increasingly complex problems, additional nursing involvement in political and health care arenas, and more nursing leadership and support within nursing.