Background: Psychiatric nurses play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of mental health care, yet they face multiple challenges within inpatient psychiatric departments. This exploratory study aimed to assess the types and levels of challenges experienced by psychiatric nurses, identify their coping strategies, and determine the association between these challenges and selected demographic variables. 

Aim: to explore and assess the professional challenges experienced by psychiatric nurses while working in psychiatric in-patient units at a selected mental health institution in Odisha, with a view to identifying the major challenges encountered in their professional practice and providing a basis for developing appropriate strategies to improve their work environment and quality of nursing care.

Methods: A quantitative research approach with a sample of 60 psychiatric nurses from a selected mental health institution in Cuttack, Odisha was adopted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that nurses frequently experienced heavy workload, inadequate nurse–patient ratios, exposure to aggression, lack of administrative support, insufficient training opportunities, emotional exhaustion, and safety concerns. 

Results: Concerning the level of challenges, 36.7% (n = 22) of the psychiatric nurses strongly agreed that their workload was too heavy, while 33.3% (n = 20) disagreed that the nurse–patient ratio was adequate. Working long shifts affected physical and mental health in 70.0% of participants (40.0%, n = 24 agreed and 30.0%, n = 18 strongly agreed). Regarding organizational factors, 64.9% (n = 39) of the nurses (28.3% agreed, n = 17; 36.6% strongly agreed, n = 22) reported a lack of adequate administrative support. In-service training and workshops were considered insufficient by 56.7% (n = 34) of participants. A majority of the nurses expressed the need for support systems, with 75.0% (n = 45) supporting counselling services, 75.0% (n = 45) supporting recreational activities, and 76.7% (n = 46) indicating the need for improved facilities for psychiatric nurses. Significant associations were observed between the challenges faced and factors such as professional experience, designation, and psychiatric ward experience.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for improved staffing, supportive work environments, ongoing training, and psychological support services to enhance the well-being of psychiatric nurses and ensure better patient care outcomes.