Abstract
D.Cur. ( Psychiatric Nursing Science)
The aim of this study was to develop a selection model for prospective candidates in advanced
psychiatric nursing, based on a whole person approach.
In her interaction with patients, the nurse is confronted by the unusual realities of death,
birth, pain and suffering of her patients, and the concomitant dependency and intimacy needs
of these patients. This reality activates intense and complex feelings in the nurse's internal
world, against which she develops a system of defense mechanisms which enable her to
control her feelings and effect distance between her and her patient. These defense
mechanisms protect her in general nursing practice, but become stumbling blocks for those
nurses who wish to specialize in psychiatric nursing. It is contingent upon her as an advanced
practitioner in psychiatric nursing to expose herself by casting off these defense mechanisms,
building up intimate relationships with her patients, and to be open in terms of her own
feelings. This process is intensely painful, anxiety provoking and stressful, and all are not
equal to this task.
The research question which arises is: To what extent can candidates who are not equal to
the task of a course in, and the practice of, advanced psychiatric nursing, be protected by
an effective selection procedure?
A theory generational approach was used in the design and description of a selection model
for prospective candidates in advanced psychiatric nursing. The methodology of Chinn &
Jacobs (1987) was combined with that of Dickofj, James & Wiedenbach (1968) in this
process. The 5 steps in this combined approach included:
* The identification, definition and classification of concepts central to the model.
Concepts were identified by utilizing four different methods:
A literature survey of the characteristics of the mature person (ideal
candidate).
A survey of existing selection methods and techniques.