The opinions of the nurses working in psychiatry clinics toward the patients with schizophrenia

Individuals with the diagnosis of schizophrenia face discrimination, exclusion andstigmatization by society. Nurses who work on psychiatric wards frequently faceindividuals diagnosed with schizophrenia throughout their careers. It is important fornurses to avoid a stigmatizing approach in order to promote a therapeutic environment,particularly on the wards, and also to improve individual awareness and perceptions insociety.This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluating nurses' opinions aboutindividuals with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. A total of 543 nurses who were workingon psychiatric wards in Turkey's 27 university hospitals (164) and 6 training and researchHospitals (21) and in the 6 psychiatric hospitals completed the questionnaire. For theevaluation of data, SPSS-11 programme, chi-square and independent samples-T test wereused.The majority of the nurses working Research Hospital stated that schizophrenia is?ntcaused by social problems, that they would be able to work with someone who hasschizophrenia, that they would not be able to marry someone with schizophrenia, that theywould not be bothered by having a neighbour with schizophrenia, that schizophrenia cannotbe completely improved, that it can be improved with psychotherapy, that schizophrenicpatients were aggressive, and that medications used to treat schizophrenia had serious sideeffects and were addictive. The majority of the nurses working Training Hospital stated thatschizophrenia is caused by social problems, that they would be able to work with someonewho has schizophrenia, that they would not be able to marry someone with schizophrenia,that they would not be bothered by having a neighbour with schizophrenia, thatschizophrenia cannot be completely improved, that it can be improved with psychotherapy,that schizophrenic patients were aggressive, and that medications used to treat schizophreniahad serious side effects and were addictive. The majority of the nurses have lisance, masterand doctora degree show positive aproach toward person with schizophreniaAccording to the result of the study appropriate recommendations were madeproviding education, post graduate courses, using master and doctora programme fornursing education, founding daily care homes for treatment and adapt to social life personwith schizophrenia.Key words: Nurse, Attitude, Stigmatization, Person with schizophrenia, Education