Intersectionality of Nursing Care and Psychological Interventions

This study aimed to examine how nurses in post-acute rehabilitation facilities integrated psychological interventions into the routine physical care nurses provide to their patients. A descriptive, phenomenological design was used to explore the experiences of eight Filipino and Filipino American nurses from three facilities. The instrument utilized for data collection involved a semi-structured interview guide that included open-ended questions designed to elicit responses regarding the conditions of the participants’ patients, their mental health challenges, and the therapeutic strategies used to facilitate their care. Thematic analysis identified five themes describing the intersection of nursing care and psychological support: therapeutic communication as a foundation to care, prioritizing non-pharmacological interventions, behavioral and mood tracking as diagnostic tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adapting routines and maintaining interdependence of physical and psychological well-being. These findings indicated that nurses routinely incorporate psychological support in their routines through rapport-building communication with their patients, ongoing assessment of their physical and emotional states, and team-based care between nurses and other facility staff. However, limited formal training and inconsistent institutional support constrained the sustainability of these practices. Overall, the findings of the study highlight the need for targeted psychological skills training and stronger organizational support to enhance holistic and integrative care. These results also factored into the development of the Mindful Nursing Support Program, a training initiative designed to equip nurses with mental health assessment and intervention strategies for diverse patient populations.