Summary Of The Explanation Of Mental Health Nurses

Nursing has always been a popular career, and nurses work in a variety of settings. Most nurses have a bachelor's degree, but many nurses also have a master's degree. Nurses have several responsibilities. When you become a nurse, you are responsible for your patient's well-being and safety. You will have to care for chronically ill patients. Nurses work in a variety of health care settings.

This literature review has enhanced my knowledge on research articles, how to identify what is a strong or weak study, how to research properly and also, it enhanced my critiquing skill. It is identified that recruiting mental health nurses and mental health is one of the undesirable nursing field of new graduates is a significant contemporary issue in nursing because of the ageing nursing working and the increasing numbers of clients with mental illness (Harrison et al., 2014, pp.561-562).

For ten years my parents sheltered me from the truth about my Grandfather’s suicide. The day he died is a blur, but I remember our afternoons together in his garden reading books he brought home from the library he worked at, and evenings eating Chinese food and watching ice skating—two of his favorite things. Finding out he committed suicide left me with myriad questions. As I matured my desire for understanding intensified. Drawn to human behavior and the mechanisms that affect it, I applied to the University of California at Berkeley as a Psychology major. In the summer prior to beginning my studies Anthony killed himself.

Mental health teams generally comprise of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, but other therapists such as family therapists, psychotherapists and counsellors might also become involved in the care of the patient (Perkins & Repper 1998).

Nursing practice has revolutionized itself throughout the years. Today we realize the causes of current illnesses as complex and multifaceted (source). In past models, for instance the medical model, the approach was straightforward and neglected the patients active involvement in their care; the patient was viewed as the passive recipient and the doctor, an active agent that “fixed” their patients. ( source). New developed models since then, such as the biopsychosocial model, show us that care focuses on many factors. The model demonstrates understanding of how suffering, disease, and illness can be associated by many factors seen at the different levels in society and the medical sciences (source). Caring for each component is

Mental health teams generally comprise of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, but other therapists such as family therapists, psychotherapists and counsellors might also become involved in the care of the patient (Perkins & Repper 1998).

A Paramedic is a professional who works within the healthcare industry; they work alongside Ambulance Technicians, other Paramedics, Doctors’ and Nurses. They work on the frontline and are called out to any emergencies, where they can work with the Fire Brigade and Police depending on the emergency. Paramedics are usually first on the scene and give emergency treatment until handed over to the relevant department. (Health Careers, 2017) A Mental Health Nurse also works within the healthcare industry, however they are mostly based in a hospital setting or out within the community. They can work in a psychiatric ward or visit patients at home. A Mental Health Nurse can work alongside, Psychologists, Social workers and other therapists. Unlike a Paramedic, a Mental Health Nurse has more one to one time with patients. This can help build relationships with their patients and family,

As nurses, it extremely important for us to have an understanding of mental health so we can decrease the stigma in the healthcare profession. There shouldn’t be a difference between a “psychiatric nurse” and a “general nurse”. Since over 50% of the population suffers from a mental illness, both professions should be equally educated and sensitive towards health care issues.

A Community Psychiatric Nurse is fully trained and has many years experience in a hospital setting before going out into the community. Their experience would

“Mental health nurse also work with families of patients to make sure that patients are getting all the help that they can. In addition, they may play a roll in educating the community about mental health issues.” (Career Cruising) Depending on what they choose, mental health nurses can help either children or the elder. Many work with those who are a danger to themselves and others. “Some mental health nurses are trained and assigned to work within the prison populations. Some may work with those who have substances abuse problems.”

During my work placement I noticed that nurses work in a variety of services and are in an ideal position to promote patients’ mental health and wellbeing by helping and empowering them to realise their abilities rather than focusing on their disability or illness (Ruddick,2013).

Directions: Please assess your client and place an X in the appropriate box to represent level of severity of each symptom.

This is a 28 year-old Caucasian female who was admitted to Doctors Hospital Psychiatric Unit 4 South due to an overdose on multiple medications. The patient was found by the police on January 13th picking through garbage near the hospital. Patient overdosed on approximately 30 Alprazolam, Venlafaxine, Trazadone, Benadryl, and Nyquil. She stated she remembered taking the all of the drugs, but does not remember anything after that.

In this case study, one day of care for a 28 year old, male patient on a low secure psychiatric unit will be examined and discussed. The main focus will be on implementation and evaluation of the nursing process. These areas will be covered under; physiological, psycho-sociological and pharmacological aspects of the patient’s care. Although, the case study is discussed using third person expression, the care discussed is what was implemented and evaluated by myself, a second year student nurse, under supervision from a qualified member of staff.

Being able to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms is essential within the psychiatric nursing field. However, I learned from Tammi Plantan, a psychiatric nurse from Raleigh, North Carolina, that although written communication is vital, oral communication is the key to success in this particular field. When I questioned Ms. Plantan about the use of writing in her respective field, she shared that she prefers to communicate verbally. Ms. Plantan added that when written communication is necessary, she is careful that grammatical errors are not present in her work because it presents as unprofessional. She explained that by communicating verbally it allows her patients as well as her coworkers