A mini thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Curationis in Psychiatry, University of the Western Cape.
ABSTRACT Within South Africa there is a growing need for qualified Professional Nurses, as mental health nursing has consistently emerged as an unpopular career choice within the comprehensive nursing program (R425). Nurses that have completed the R425 program report fear, mistrust, and dislike of the mentally ill as reasons for not pursuing a career in mental health nursing. As such, the nursing profession struggles to attract graduates into this discipline. Professional nurses with additional training in mental ...