Effects of the Psychiatric Nursing Course on Students' Attitudes Towards Mental Illnesses, Perceptions of Psychiatric Nursing and Career Choices

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of psychiatric nursing course on students' attitudes towards mental illnesses, perceptions of psychiatric nursing and career choices. Material and Methods: The study was one-group pre-test post-test design. Measurements were repeated three times; before and after the theorical course and after the clinical practice. The study was performed in the school of nursing. The study sample consisted of 74 third-year nursing students. For data collection, the Beliefs toward Mental Illness Scale, Psychiatric Nursing Perception Scale and career choices list were used. Results: It was determined that the students' negative attitudes towards mental illnesses and negative perceptions of psychiatric nursing decreased significantly after the course. Negative attitudes towards mental illness and perceptions of psychiatric nursing changed positively after the theoretical course and clinical practice. While the number of those who placed psychiatric among their first three career choices prior to the course was 21 (28.4%), it increased to 31 (41%) after the theoretical course and clinical measurements. Conclusion: In this study, it is concluded that psychiatric nursing curricula include topics and programs that will create awareness in students regarding stigmatization towards mental illnesses and its effects. It is recommended to conduct longitudinal studies investigating students' beliefs towards mental illnesses, perceptions of psychiatric nursing training, and career choices from the very first year of their nursing education.