When the institute was established in 1918, the nursing staff consisted of seven European male attendants and five European nurses, including a matron. The Department is credited to have the first Indian Nurse to be sent to Maudsley Hospital, London for training in Psychiatric Nursing who then joined the institute as matron upon her return. The Department of Psychiatric Nursing was established and the course for psychiatric nursing started from 1^st August 1983 under Ranchi University. In 2014, the course was recognized by Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi and received approval from State Nursing Council, Jharkhand & Ranchi University for intake of 15 seats for Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (Post Basic). The hospital also accommodates visiting nursing students from various other states like Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal & Punjab during which the students receive exposure to the various ward & clinical activities.

Departmental Activities

Training

The trainee students are required to assist in the ward activities in the morning followed by didactic lectures in the afternoon. The students are also required to actively participate in the common academic programs that include seminars, case conferences & journal club. During their one year tenure, the students gain an understanding of the dynamics of human behavior, nursing care of the mentally ill and role of nurses in the recognition, prevention, and promotion of mental health in the community and the restoring to health and rehabilitation of the mentally ill patient in the hospital. The program also places emphasis on the development of self-understanding to enable the nurse to recognize and to understand his/her own behavior in relation to others. The program also encourages the nurse to develop capabilities and increase knowledge by seeking further education in the field of mental health.

Clinical Services

The Department of Psychiatric Nursing with its dedicated nursing officers offers round the clock clinical, rehabilitative, and outreach services. The inpatient care involves bedside nursing care provided to patients apart from carrying out the instructions of the team with regard to medications and other physical treatments. The nursing personnel also assist in structuring the activities of patients, providing psychoeducation to patients and their family members, encouraging & engaging patients in various recreational & occupational activities.

The number of nursing students visiting the Institute for training from various institutions in 2019 was 1256.