Mental Health Nursing Roles

Newell, R. Gournay, K (2000) Mental Health Nursing - An evidence based approach. London: Churc

Throughout my 5 years working as a psychiatric nurse I have faced many challenges with ensuring adequate and successful outcomes of the many patients I have encountered. Mental illness isn’t a disease that you can cure, treat with a Band-Aid, or suture; it’s a lifelong problem patients can struggle with that many times comes with a negative stigma. I truly believe that the University of Alabama will give me guidance and the education necessary to help the underserved population and to provide better patient outcomes. Psychiatric nursing

A psychiatric nurse practitioner focuses on treating people with psychological illnesses often with a high level of severity. Serving as an addition to the treatment team he/she can work in a variety of settings. They are commonly employed in group practices or community settings and can provide medication management, counseling, and treatment planning and management. They will work with individuals, groups and families, to provide the best treatment for those with mental health issues. Nurses also contribute to the environment of mental health care by helping implement policy, reform, improvement and evaluation of the treatment available to patients. (www.apna.org)

Traditionally, providing care for mental health in individuals has been cumbersome and costly for families (Seed, Torkelson, & Karshmer, 2009). This has resulted in inadequate care and patient outcomes for individuals across the nation (Seed, Torkelson, & Karshmer, 2009). Although there is insufficient use of the evidence-based practice model in psychiatric units, sometimes due to the lack of knowledge of mental health illnesses, there was improvement in care when there was a transformation in attitudes and current practices (Seed, Torkelson, & Karshmer, 2009). The CNL role has a focus on how we implement and execute evidence-based care, along with lateral integration of care, safety of the patient and staff, risk reduction, and keeping the cost fixed (Clinical Nurse Leader Association [CNLA], 2014). Because of the role that CNL’s have taken in psychiatric facilities, there has been an increase in compliance in patient care standards and satisfaction; and in safety. While on the other hand, a decrease in the length of stay for patients (Clinical Nurse Leader Association [CNLA], 2014).

The professional organization I will explore is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. This vison of the APNA is to instill the core values of “empowerment, inclusivity, integrity, collegiality, innovation, transparency, and stewardship.” It is the mission of the APNA Administrative Council “to facilitate collaboration and communication among psychiatric nurse administrators, to serve as a clinical resource in achieving shared goals, and to assist in the use of evidence-based practices and innovative systems for exceptional patient care.” APNA is the only psychiatric mental health nursing organization whose membership is inclusive of all psychiatric mental health registered nurses. A membership is available to those individuals who are registered nurses and dues are $135.00 per year. APNA has more than 9,500 members and allow them to be attached with a vibrant community of psychiatric mental health nurses. This allows many resources and programs, with the opportunity to advance in the area of psychiatric mental health nursing profession.

Since the schizophrenic patient is responding to an internal state of mind, continuity of care is a significant factor in psychiatric nursing. Other responsibilities of the mental health nurse may include close monitoring of the physiological status before, during and after medications and since schizophrenia is not curable, the patient nurse relationship is the central concept for psychiatric nursing (Dearing, 2004). The nurse always works as a close team member with other

Ms. Greene maintains knowledge of current techniques, trends and professional issues in Mental Health Nursing and she embraces long time learning. She stays abreast of current mental health issues through obtaining Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and nursing journals. Ms. Greene received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Rutgers’s University. Ms. Greene displays leadership skills by working as a charge nurse on the mental health ward and provide mentorship to newly hired nurses. She remains compliant in her Virginia Talent Management System (TMS) and current in basic life support certification. Ms. Greene involves herself in other educational endeavors to improve her clinical knowledge and enhance her overall practice and role

If psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner established treatment plans with clear expectation, both party will know the plan and will have a goal to achieve. There will be minimal disagreement since the limits are set and expectations are clearly stated upon admission. The patients also get a treatment that geared toward accomplishing absences. In general, the patients and caregivers relationship will be improved which ultimately increase

Mental health services ended up being far from reached by patients with primary psychiatric disorders. Mental health care means not only improving access but also improving clinical quality and ensuring cultural competence. It is the ability to treat and support programs to encounter individuals on personal terms and in methods that are customarily aware.

Townsend, M. C. (2014). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing concepts of care in evidence-based practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

Mental Health Nurses are a fairly new and upcoming form of Mental Health Professionals that require a general nursing degree and then additional education to specialize in psychiatric nursing. They must complete a state-approved Master’s Degree which includes 600 hours of clinical service.

Ever since I was little, I have always been a very caring, compassionate person, as well as sensitive to other’s feelings and needs. I have always tried to put other people’s feeling before my own. As I grew older, I took these attributes and decided to pursue a career in Psychiatric Nursing. Furthermore I strongly believe when treating others, it is important to provide treatment that focuses on all aspects of a patient's life including their emotional, medical, and spiritual needs.

This program was different than the other “nurse-educator” focused programs of the time because it instead focused on assessing and diagnosing mental health problems and providing various therapies such as family, group, and individual (ANA, 2012). In 2003, the role of PMHNP was clearly defined and delineated in “Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Competencies” published by The National Panel for PMHNP Competencies (ANA, 2012).

The mental health nurse who visits him regularly assesses his psychosocial needs and mental status. He has a trusting relationship with her and receives valuable opinions for his life. According to him, she is a good friend. Psycho-education from a mental health nurse helps patients to adapt with the emotional changes associated with the PD. Mental health nurses have several roles such as clinician, educator and advocate to provide holistic care to patients (Bunting-Perry & Vernon,

The role of a psychiatric nurse is to develop a nursing diagnosis and plan of the care, implements the nursing process, and evaluates it for effectiveness. During my clinical rotation at St. Elizabeth, I have learned that providing good therapeutic nursing care to patients with mental illness can encourage the patients to become actively involved with his or her treatment.