ArticleJournal of clinical nursing2026
Nurses' Experiences Caring for People Presenting to the Emergency Department With Mental Health Concerns.
Article in Journal of clinical nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Psychiatric Observability Under Operational Strain in Emergency Mental Health Care.Journal of clinical nursing · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
aimTo explore the experiences of Emergency Department nurses when caring for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mental health issues.
designQualitative descriptive study.
methodsTen nurses with experience caring for mental health patients participated in face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Nurses were recruited if they were employed at a single tertiary Emergency Department in the Northern Territory, Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. The COREQ checklist guided reporting.
resultsThe four key themes were: systemic factors; emotional impact and staff culture; influence of communication; education and training. Systemic factors, such as overcrowding, staff shortages, long stays, and unsuitable Emergency Department environments, restricted therapeutic care and increased patient distress. The emotional impact of caring for mental health patients, combined with reactive workplace culture and stigma, contributed to moral distress and burnout. Clear communication and teamwork supported care, while limited mental health education left nurses underprepared and reliant on informal learning. Participants emphasised the need for clear protocols, targeted training, and structured support to enhance patient outcomes, nurse confidence, and well-being.
conclusionEmergency Department nurses face systemic, cultural, and educational barriers that compromise patient care while contributing to stress, fatigue, and burnout. Addressing these challenges through integrated care pathways, targeted education, and staff support is essential to improve patient outcomes and sustain the nursing workforce. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Data from this study identifies there is an urgent need to implement practical strategies to reduce challenges for nurses in caring for patients presenting to the ED with mental health issues. IMPACT: This study revealed that systemic pressures, emotional fatigue, and limited training hinder effective care. This research can inform hospital leaders, policymakers, and educators to improve support, training, and care pathways within ED settings. REPORTING
methodThe authors have adhered to the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was made.
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