Abstract:  
Nurses in Palestine work in a significantly challenging environment. Mental health services
are underdeveloped and under-resourced. For example, the total number of community
mental health nurses (CMHNs) in the West Bank is seventeen, clearly insufficient in a total
population of approximately three million. This research explored daily challenges that
Palestinian CMHNs face within and outside their demanding workplaces.  
An interpretive qualitative design was chosen. Face-to-face interviews were completed with fifteen participants. Thirty-two hours of observations of the day-to-day working environment
and workplace routines were conducted in two communities’ mental health centres. Written
documents relating to practical job-related policies were also collected from various
workplaces. Thematic analysis was used across all data sources resulting in four main
themes, which describe the challenges faced by CMHNs. These themes consist of the context
of unrest, stigma challenge, lack of resources and organisational challenges. The study concludes with a better understanding of challenges in nursing which draws on wider cultural
contexts and responses.

Conference Title

conference on community Psychology

Conference Country

Egypt

Conference Date

March 24, 2016 - March 26, 2016

Conference Sponsor

American University Cairo