Coffey , M . ( 1999 ) . Stress and burnout in forensic community mental health nurses

The increasing development of forensic services has seen the numbers of Forensic Community Mental Health Nurses (FCMHNs) mushroom. Community mental health nursing (CMHNs) has been found to be a stressful occupation. FCMHNs have largely been ignored in research into occupational stress. The current study identified and surveyed all FCMHNs (n=104) in England and Wales who were attached to NHS Medium Secure Units using measures of occupational stress. A response rate of 76.9% was achieved. Findings from this study showed that a substantial portion (44.3%) of FCMHNs were experiencing high burnout in relation to emotional exhaustion. 31.2% of FCMHNs reached or exceeded the threshold for psychiatric caseness on one measure. Concerns of FCMHNs included “not having facilities in the community to refer patients on to” and “interruptions in the office”. Dealing with violent patients did not feature in the top ten stressors although dealing with suicidal patients did. As a group FCMHNs appear to feel supported by their managers and colleagues.