Nursing Academics' knowledge of Mental Health and the emerging generalist market

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the knowledge of nursing students on Mental Health, answering the question: "Do nursing students feel prepared for the emerging market in Mental Health, aiming at psychosocial care, in practice?". It was a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, conducted at a private university located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, with 17 academics from the last nursing periods. The data collected in the interviews were analyzed using Bardin's Content Analysis method, which made it possible to emerge three thematic categories: The clinical case, the paradigm of medicating, containing, and monitoring and social stigmas. The students found it difficult to rationalize the clinical case of a routine nature in general hospitals; with speeches full of stigmas and prejudices and difficulties in implementing the new model of assistance in Mental Health, proposed in graduation. On the other hand, curricular changes obtained so far have not been able to guarantee comprehensive care in the area, claiming to resolve gaps and uncertainties that will guarantee a more complete academic education, while the emerging generalist market demands professionals more and more apt in this issue of Health Public.