An Analysis of Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing through the Junctures of History, Gender, Nursing Education, and Quality of Work Life in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan
A society that values mental health and helps people live enjoyable and meaningful lives is a clear aspiration echoed throughout our Canadian health care system. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has put forth a framework for a mental health strategy with goals that reflect the virtue of optimal mental health for all Canadians (Mental Health Commission Canada, 2009). Canadian nurses, the largest group of health care workers, have a vital role in achieving these goals. In Canada, two-thirds of those who experience mental health problems do not receive mental health services (Statistics Canada, 2003). Through a gendered, critical, and sociological perspective the goal of this paper is to further understand how the past has shaped the present state of psychiatric mental health nursing (PMHN). This integrative literature review offers a depiction of Canadian PMHN in light of the intersections of history, gender, education, and quality of nursing work life. Fourteen articles were selected, which provide a partial reflection of contemporary Canadian PMHN. Findings include the association between gender and professional status, inconsistencies in psychiatric nursing education, and the limitations for Canadian nurse practitioners to advance the role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. 1. Introduction The account of the way Canadian psychiatric mental health nursing (PMHN) has emerged into its current state can provide an insightful perspective that fosters a better understanding of its present challenges and opportunities. This review paper examines the development of Canadian PMHN in Ontario and the western provinces since the beginning of the 20th century. Canada consists of 3 territories and 10 provinces. With a population of approximately 34,880,500, Canada had the highest growth rate of the G8 countries in the 2011/2012 period [1]. In Canada, registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and nurse practitioners are employed in the area of psychiatric or mental health care. RPNs are a regulated separate profession in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia (For the purposes of this paper RPN refers to registered psychiatric nurses that are only legislated in the four western provinces. In Ontario, registered practical nurses, also abbreviated to RPN, provide care in all settings and are not solely specific to or trained in the area of psychiatric mental health. When RPN is used in this paper, the reference is to registered psychiatric nurses.) Statistics
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