Skills and Resources of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses to Support a Long and Uncertain Recovery Journey: A Grounded Theory Approach

ABSTRACT Introduction The importance of recovery‐focused practice is widely recognised. However, limited attention has been paid to how nurses continue to engage reflectively and creatively in long‐term care settings. Aim This study explored how nurses provided recovery‐oriented care for people with mental illness in long‐term, complex, and uncertain care settings. Method A grounded theory approach was used to analyse data from 14 interviews. Reporting followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results The core category identified was ‘redefinition of care’, describing a dynamic process in which nurses revised their understanding, adjusted their perspectives, and created new meanings in practice. Key strategies included burden management, exploring new contexts and openness towards uncertainty. Discussion The findings suggest that high‐quality care provision extends beyond technical skills, to emotional resilience, interpretive openness and relational flexibility. Limitations This study used nurses' retrospective narratives of past cases where recovery progressed. Ongoing cases were not explored. Implications Nurses could remain present and responsive even with no immediate solutions, a trait described as ‘negative capability’. Supporting this reflective stance may be key to providing quality care. Recommendations Educational approaches potentially strengthening recovery‐oriented care include participatory workshop opportunities that foster pluralistic thinking, dialogue and openness towards uncertainty.