Engaging in resuscitation status conversations in psychiatry: A qualitative study of nurses' perspectives.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Discussion and documentation of a patient's resuscitation status are essential aspects of any hospital admission, and yet, they seldomly occur in psychiatry. Nurses play an important role in resuscitation status determination by being an information broker, supporter and advocate. Persons with mental illness may be competent to engage in the determination of their resuscitation status and deserve the same respect and autonomy as other patients during this process.