Context

Auditory hallucinations, commonly associated with schizophrenia, significantly impact individuals’ emotional well-being. With around 24 million people affected globally and notable rates in Ireland, the prevalence is alarming.1 Despite existing guidelines, Ireland lacks specific policies addressing auditory hallucinations, creating a critical practice gap.2 Nurses, the largest group in mental health services, play a vital role in patient stabilisation in acute units. However, many feel unprepared due to inadequate training and organisational pressures. This study explored nurses’ experiences caring for patients with auditory hallucinations, highlighting the contrast between restrictive practices and emerging approaches from the Hearing Voices Movement and the Maastricht approach. …