Manona- Nkanjeni, Nonkanyiso Yvonne2016-08-162016-08-162015http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/286This study sought to explore the perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. A qualitative, explanatory, descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select 12 participants from the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an independent interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. The services of an editor were also used for language control (see Annexure H). The researcher repeatedly listened to the tapes used for data collection until completely satisfied with the interpretation of verbatim data. The research study was conducted in an ethically reflective manner and trustworthiness was ensured at all times. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: fear, stigma, myths and training. The researcher utilised the services of an independent coder who verified the identified major themes. The findings revealed that participants were fearful due to lack of knowledge, experience and psychiatric nursing skills. Participants feared because they lack knowledge about psychiatric medication and because mental health care users may have relapse. The participants also attached a stigma to mental health care users, which resulted in poor communication between participants and the stabilised mental health care user; a negative attitude towards mental health care users; and non-acceptance. Participants believed in myths about mental illness; they regarded it as contagious; and perceived mental health care users as dangerous. The participants strongly recommended that training should be provided to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to care for stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. The following should be facilitated: in-service training; adoption of a positive attitude; dispersal of myths and fear; education about referral systems; and allocation of specialist psychiatric nurses to medical wards for referral purposes with regard to complicated cases.enPsychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePsychiatric hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern CapeNurses -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePrimary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern CapeMental health services -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePsychiatric hospital patients -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePsychiatric hospital care -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePsychiatric hospitals -- Admission and discharge -- South Africa -- Eastern CapeMental illness -- South Africa -- Eastern CapePsychotherapy patients -- South Africa -- Eastern CapeThesis