SNU hosts 23rd Annual conference of ISPN, important topics on psychiatric nursing discussed

Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata recently hosted the 23rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN) at the University campus from Friday, February 9 to Sunday, February 11.

The event was graced by several important dignitaries like Dr T Dilip Kumar, President of the Indian Nursing Council, Dr K Riddemma, President, ISPN, Prof Dr Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Vice Chancellor of SNU and Prof Madhabi Das, Director of Nursing at Sister Nivedita University Nursing Institute and the organising secretary of the ISPN conference.

The theme for this year's conference was 'Mental Health is a Universal Human Right: Implication for Nurses.

"Everyone has the right to be healthy, not only physically but also mentally. Till now, mental illness is considered as a stigma in our society. We should treat mental illness like any other physical illness. When the nurses are treating patients suffering from mental illness, nurses should take into consideration their social status, age, beliefs and customs as they are different from other patients with physical illness," said Prof Madhabi Das elaborating on the theme of the conference.

"The students currently undergoing nursing training will become nurses in future. Apart from patients suffering from physical illness, they will also take care of patients suffering from mental illness. Hence, they must learn how to take care of such patients. Through this conference, they got to know about the methods to take care of mental patients, which is a tough job," Prof Das added.

Dr T Dilip Kumar, emphasised on the importance of psychiatric nursing and said that with physical illess, patients also go through severe mental stress. Apart from the physical health, this too, requires healing.

"Through this conference, the delegates will get to know more about the different techniques and methods used in psychiatric nursing. Once they get back to their respective institutes, they will be able to adapt those practices in their day to day activities," said Dr T Dilip Kumar, President of Indian Nursing Council.

Talking about the nursing courses, currently provided by the university, Prof (Dr) Niyati Kar, Principal of Sister Nivedita University Nursing Institute said that SNU provides three-year General Nursing and midwifery Diploma course and four-year B.Sc Nursing Course and Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Course for students who have already completed their GNM course.

Students from any academic background will be able to join the GNM Diploma course while for B.Sc Nursing, only students from science background are admitted.