When the institute was established in 1918, the nursing staff consisted of seven European male attendants and five European nurses, including a matron. Mrs. Aleyamma Brocklesby Davis (Eapen) was the first Indian nurse to be sent to Maudsley hospital in London for special training in psychiatric nursing. She was appointed as matron of European Mental hospital, Kanke, Ranchi following her return from London. The Department of Psychiatric Nursing was established and the course for psychiatric nursing started from 1stAugust 1983 under Ranchi University. Mr. M. N. Holkar was the senior tutor for the course and the nursing education program at the Institute. The course received recognition from the Indian Nursing council, New Delhi in 2014. Since August 1983 to date, two hundred and sixty five students have completed their Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (DPN). The course ends with a written and viva-voce examination.
Departmental Activities
Training
The faculty of the Department of Nursing believes that psychiatric nursing has an important place in General Nursing. The psychiatric nurse has a significant contribution to make in the recognition, prevention, and promotion of mental health in the community and the restoring the health and rehabilitation of the mentally ill. The program of Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (Post Basic) encourages the nurse to develop capabilities and increase knowledge by seeking further education in the field of mental health. This course aims at preparing the nurse to recognize, accept and carry out the responsibilities of a psychiatric nurse in the field of mental health. The course hopes to assist the nurse to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and interests essential for her therapeutic role in a mental hospital as well as in a community mental health program. The course emphasizes the correlation of theory and nursing practice, multidisciplinary teaching and encourages the personality development of the individual student. The trainee nurses also attend the Institutional academics held every week from Thursday to Saturday. During case conference, the trainee nurses present the nursing observation report by collecting reliable information from patient, family members and ward staffs. They also assess the patient using NOSIE-30 scale. The students also develop an increased understanding of the dynamics of behavior, human relations skills and improvement of nursing care of the mentally ill, with appreciation of the nurse’s role in mental health activities. The program also places emphasis on the development of self-understanding to enable the nurse to recognize and to understand her own behavior in relation to others. Beyond the DPN course, the Institute also provides clinical experience to various diploma nursing students, bachelor nursing students & Master in Psychiatric Nursing students from different schools/colleges of nursing from different parts of the country.
Clinical Services
The trainee nurses have to remain in the wards from 8.30 am to 12.00 pm. Their role involves helping the on duty staff in carrying out their clinical and administrative responsibilities. In addition, the nurse is assisted to recognize inherent responsibilities for improving the care of the mentally ill, and carry out tasks related to the improvement of care throughunderstanding of individual behavior and the use of interpersonal relations skills. In the process, the nurse also develops an appreciation of working in a team. The department periodically carries out educational activities such as in-service education programs, CNE programs, and workshops to improve the knowledge and skills of nurses. The department religiously celebrates the Nightingale Day on May 12th every year.
