This newly-published second edition is the definitive book covering the essentials of psychiatric–mental health (PMH) nursing applicable at all practice levels and settings. It articulates what is expected of all psychiatric–mental health nurses, specifying the who, what, where, when, why and how of their practice. It presents the underlying assumptions and characteristics, addresses matters of environments and settings as well as education and training requirements, and covers key issues and trends and the ethical and conceptual bases of the specialty. Moreover, it specifies the competencies for nursing practice and professional performance of all PMH registered nurses.