Abstract
Purpose
To determine the experiences and opinions of nurses working in psychiatric wards regarding the assessment of patients’ sexual health.
Design and Methods
A qualitative, interpretative phenomenological design was used. Purposeful, snowball sampling identified eight nurses. Data were collected online through in‐depth, individual interviews, and analyzed with Colaizzi’s seven‐step method.
Findings
The nurses’ experiences and opinions were grouped under three themes: challenges, requirements, and opportunities. The theme of challenges was divided into attitude and environment; the requirements theme was divided into training, self‐knowledge, and procedural arrangements; the opportunities theme was divided into awareness.
Practical Implications
Psychiatric nurses should know their sexual values and integrate personal/professional values. Institutions should train nurses in assessment’ importance and scope and establish procedures/guidelines, supporting sexual health assessments.