Between possibilities and challenges : Nurses’ experiences of caring for persons with mental health problems in Kurdistan, Iraq – a qualitative study

Sammanfattning: Background: Mental health issues are a growing global problem and there is a big gap between the need for mental health care and the financial resources allocated to this health care sector. Nurses work closely to patients and play an important role in alleviating suffering and in the recovery of the patient. Highlighting the nurses’ role and experiences of working with persons with mental health problems can give information of how to address the different challenges they meet.  Aim: The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for persons with mental health problems in a psychiatric care setting in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Method: Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of eight nurses working at two psychiatric hospitals. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Four main themes were found: Between possibilities and challenges, Holistic view, Striving for equality and Caring relations. Nurses in psychiatric settings in Kurdistan region of Iraq face different challenges related to organization, prejudice and inequality. They have a lot of knowledge about nursing and aim to meet patients and families with a person-centered approach. Conclusion: The findings show that nurses need the work environment to be open to nurses’ thoughts and concerns. Management should involve nurses in the development of the hospital, encourage collaboration and provide on the job training. This would increase the job satisfaction and contribute to a person-centered atmosphere.