Quick answer
Community-based psychiatric nursing is mental health nursing care delivered outside the hospital, in clinics, homes, and other community settings. Psychiatric nurses in these roles assess symptoms, give and monitor prescribed medications, teach coping and medication skills, and coordinate with other professionals so people can keep living and recovering in their communities.
How Is It Different From Hospital Psychiatric Nursing?
In a psychiatric hospital unit, patients stay for a period of time and nurses care for them around the clock in one place. Community-based nursing works the other way around. People live at home, and the nurse connects with them through clinic visits, home visits, or meetings in the community. The focus is on stability and recovery over months or years, not on a single hospital stay.
Where Does Community Psychiatric Nursing Happen?
- Outpatient behavioral health clinics
- Community mental health centers
- Clients’ homes and other places in the community
- Team-based programs such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
What Is Assertive Community Treatment?
Assertive Community Treatment, or ACT, is one of the best-known community models. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes ACT as services customized to each person, delivered by a team of practitioners, and available 24 hours a day. SAMHSA notes that the goal is to help people stay out of the hospital and develop skills for living in the community, so that mental illness is not the driving force in their lives.
ACT is meant for people with serious mental illness who need more support than a standard clinic appointment can give. A team may include psychiatric prescribers, nurses, case managers, peer specialists, and other professionals.
What Does a Community Psychiatric Nurse Do?
Assesses symptoms
Through face-to-face visits, the nurse checks mood, thinking, sleep, behavior, physical health, and how the person is managing daily life.
Gives and monitors medications
Nurses give prescribed medications, including long-acting injectable medications for some clients, and watch for side effects and adverse reactions. Each dose follows the rights of medication administration.
Teaches
Education covers what each medication is for, why taking it as prescribed matters, and coping strategies for managing symptoms.
Documents progress
Nurses record each visit so the whole team can see changes. Many use the SOAP note format.
Coordinates care
When someone needs more help, the nurse works with the team on crisis intervention, follow-up care, and connections to community resources.
How Families Can Support Community Care
- Ask the care team, with the person’s permission, how you can help between visits.
- Keep a simple list of medications and appointments.
- Learn the early signs that symptoms may be changing, and who to call when you notice them.
- Look into family support and education programs. In New Orleans, the New Orleans page lists local mental health resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a community psychiatric nurse?
A community psychiatric nurse provides mental health nursing care outside the hospital, in clinics, homes, and community settings.
What does ACT stand for in mental health?
ACT stands for Assertive Community Treatment, a team-based model that brings mental health services to people in the community.
Who is ACT for?
ACT is generally for adults living with serious mental illness who need more intensive support than standard outpatient care to stay well in the community.