From psychiatric nurse to advanced practice nurse in mental health and psychiatry

Psychiatric nursing training was adapted to a mental health and psychiatric healthcare policy. The 1992 nursing education reform put an end to this clinical specialty training. The two education reforms, in 1992 and 2009, greatly decreased the amount of time devoted to theoretical and clinical education. Nurses new to this field thus lack skills and experience. At the same time, many changes that have been made in the therapeutic and institutional domains, though sometimes useful, cause problems for healthcare organization and clinical work. This context has given rise to a new occupation: the advanced practice nurse.