A study was carried out to identify the training needs of psychiatric nursing
staff working in acute wards. Which type of learning, which training needs and how
want the training to be delivered. Qualification and accreditation were also examined.
Questionnaires were given to 70 nurses working in the 5 acute wards of Psychiatric
Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. The key findings were that most participants wanted
to be trained in practical nursing skills in every day practice. The most preferable
training thematic was: a) Management of violent and aggressive behavior, b) Risk
assessment, c) The suicidal patient, d) Clinical assessment skills, e) The patient with
psychosis and f) Communication skills. Accreditation was very important and they
wanted to gain professional qualification. The empirical study highlighted the need for
further training, in the frames of Continuing Education. The findings could be of great
interest for The National Center of Public Administration, as useful informative
material, according to the real training needs of the specific group
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