Psychiatric Nursing in Brazilian Reality

Abstract

Th e Psychiatric Nursing, in the course of its history, was mainly under the responsibility of the attendants, unqualifi ed exercisers – they were responsible for the direct care of the patient and their way of acting was determined by their personal characteristics, such as athletic type and knowledge derived from practice, which consisted in monitoring, controlling and disciplining the bodies and
the hospital space. Th e absence of the nurse was marked by the lack of professionals qualifi ed for the service with the mentally ill.