<p>Community mental health nurses practice in a range of behavioral health care settings, including community mental health centers, detoxification centers, group homes for individuals with mental retardation or serious mental illnesses, and residential substance abuse treatment programs. As the population for whom they care grows and ages and with an increase in comorbid conditions, different skills may be needed or different roles may require emphasis. This can present challenges related to role competencies and nursing preparation and to the allocation of their time. The overall purposes of this project were to compare the competencies of basic and advanced practice nurses with accepted psychiatric-mental health nursing competencies and to assess the nurses&rsquo; roles and division of work time among various roles. The findings support the need for changes related to nursing roles and job descriptions. Specific recommendations have been implemented based on the findings. </p> <h4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4> <p>Ms. Kudless is Deputy Director, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, Fairfax, Virginia; and Dr. White is Vera E. Bender Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean, School of Nursing, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York.</p> <p>The authors acknowledge the excellent manuscript assistance provided by Susan M. Donovan.</p> <p>The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.</p> <p>Address correspondence to Mary W. Kudless, MSN, APRN, BC, Deputy Director, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 836, Fairfax, VA 22035; e-mail: <a href="mailto:marykudless@comcast.net">marykudless@comcast.net</a>.</p>

Leaders in this community mental health system approached the problem of job frustration, morale issues, and turnover concerns of their Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) by designing a qualitative study using Participant Action Research (PAR) methodology based on the philosophy of Habermas. Six focus groups were conducted to address the nurses' concerns. The themes of Valuing Autonomy, Struggling for an Identity and Collective Voice, and Seeking Role Recognition best explained the participants' concerns. The study concluded with an action plan, the implementation of the plan, and a discussion of the plan's final outcomes.