Hospital-based psychiatric experience before community-based practice for nurses: imperative or dispensable?

This article describes an Australian research project that explored the relevance of hospital-based experience in preparing psychiatric nurses for community-based practice. A qualitative design was selected to obtain in-depth information in an area in which no formal research has been undertaken. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 psychiatric nurses currently engaged in community-based practice. The interviews were audiotaped, and the transcribed data were analyzed for major themes. The results indicated that the participants did not believe their hospital experience had prepared them to function effectively in the community. In some respects hospital experience was perceived as having hindered their transition into the community environment. This exploratory study indicates the need for further research and the exploration of alternative methods to prepare psychiatric nurses for community-based practice.