Introduction: The psychiatric nursing training program conducted in the College of Nursing
Mulleriyawa (CNM) is the only training available in Psychiatry for the student nurses in
Colleges of Nursing, Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka. There is no previous research study
conducted to explore the effectiveness of this program.
Objective: To explore the effectiveness of the psychiatric nursing training program conducted
in CNM.
Methods: Descriptive qualitative research was conducted using focus group (FG) discussions
among nursing tutors of CNM (N=06), nursing officers and nurse managers (N=07) of the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The participants with more than 05 years of
experience in the field were included in the study using purposive sampling. A topic guide
prepared using the CIPP model (Context, Input, Process, and Product) was used to collect data.
Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data. Ethical approval was obtained from the
NIMH, Sri Lanka.
Results: The study participants perceived the following concerns. The theme ‘Context’ -The
program will be more effective if the revised curriculum includes the country's community
needs and social changes. The theme ‘Input’ - Inadequacy of human and physical resources are
the main barriers to the smooth process of the program to have effective outcomes. The theme
‘Process’-The program will be more effective if the duration of the program is extended. The
theme ‘Product’ - The nursing students get a considerable change in their attitudes and skills
for caring the Psychiatric patients due to this training.
Conclusions: Stakeholders have perceived that the psychiatric training program at CNM is
beneficial and effective for the nursing students in Sri Lanka for caring for psychiatric patients.
The policymakers should initiate strategies to revise the curriculum and fulfil the physical and
human resources to improve the program's effectiveness.
Introduction: The psychiatric nursing training program conducted in the College of Nursing
Mulleriyawa (CNM) is the only training available in Psychiatry for the student nurses in
Colleges of Nursing, Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka. There is no previous research study
conducted to explore the effectiveness of this program.
Objective: To explore the effectiveness of the psychiatric nursing training program conducted
in CNM.
Methods: Descriptive qualitative research was conducted using focus group (FG) discussions
among nursing tutors of CNM (N=06), nursing officers and nurse managers (N=07) of the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The participants with more than 05 years of
experience in the field were included in the study using purposive sampling. A topic guide
prepared using the CIPP model (Context, Input, Process, and Product) was used to collect data.
Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data. Ethical approval was obtained from the
NIMH, Sri Lanka.
Results: The study participants perceived the following concerns. The theme ‘Context’ -The
program will be more effective if the revised curriculum includes the country's community
needs and social changes. The theme ‘Input’ - Inadequacy of human and physical resources are
the main barriers to the smooth process of the program to have effective outcomes. The theme
‘Process’-The program will be more effective if the duration of the program is extended. The
theme ‘Product’ - The nursing students get a considerable change in their attitudes and skills
for caring the Psychiatric patients due to this training.
Conclusions: Stakeholders have perceived that the psychiatric training program at CNM is
beneficial and effective for the nursing students in Sri Lanka for caring for psychiatric patients.
The policymakers should initiate strategies to revise the curriculum and fulfil the physical and
human resources to improve the program's effectiveness.
