The Role of Nurse Leaders in Maintaining Healthy Work Environments for Nurses in a Mental Health Hospital: A Qualitative Study

<b>Background:</b> Dealing with the complex psychological aspects of patient care required a good leader to maintain healthy work environments. Even early in a nursing career, the call for leadership was an essential aspect to enhance the outcomes related to both nurses and patients, especially in the challenging field of mental health nursing. It is known that a supportive work environment is important for nurses working in mental healthcare settings. <b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this study was to explore the role of nurse leaders in maintaining healthy work environments for nurses working in a mental health hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. <b>Methods:</b> This study used a descriptive-qualitative design. Data were collected from nurse leaders at the Mental Health Hospital in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Nonprobability, purposive sampling was applied to collect data. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. NVivo was used as a software management system to analyze the data. <b>Results:</b> Nine nurse leaders participated in this study. Thematic analysis was applied to determine the categories of narrative analysis. Based on the participants' interviews, the findings were categorized into two main themes and six subthemes which are Facilitators to Maintain Healthy Work Environments: <i>Ways to Maintain Healthy Work Environments, Building Teamwork, The Required Leadership Skills in Mental Health Hospitals, Entertainment;</i> and Barriers to Keep the Environments Healthy: <i>Mental Health Nurses' Traits, and Burnout</i>. <b>Conclusion:</b> Nurse leaders have an important role in maintaining a healthy work environment for mental health nurses, decreasing stress and workload, and improving nurses' outcomes. Nurse leaders also have to pay attention to their staff's mental health if they are in leadership positions in mental healthcare hospitals.