The Mental Health Of Psychiatric Nursing

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.

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

Learning can be achieved from different backgrounds, situation or environment. It is my optimist desire to use my time at Walden University to achieve the best knowledge and skills thought to me by the diverse professors and student. Being a nurse for 9 years with a diverse background has provided me with some experience and eagerness to achieve evidence base practice to advance my knowledge as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The purpose of this paper is to guide me through this learning process to stay focus on my goal and future as I advance in the learning process.

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.

In this assignment I will be discussing Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing and issues regarding consent. Consent is important within all fields of nursing as it is essential to conduct any medical procedures. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct (NMC,2008) states that all healthcare professionals must presume that all patients have the mental capacity to accept or deny medical treatments after being given all information which may be needed. However there may be some instances where consent cannot be obtained. An example of this is if the patient is in a medical emergency and may be unconscious or if the patient lacks the mental capacity to make a knowledgeable choice. In this situation treatment would be

The theory contained four major concepts that can be considered theoretically simple. Although the theory can be considered simple, it does not fit the idea of parsimony because it mainly accounts for psychiatric nurses specifically. However, the theory can still be applied generally to relationships with clients and any healthcare profession. Another consideration is that the client has to be able to perceive difficulties and therefore an infant or young child, comatose client, or mentally disabled client limits the generality to whom it is applied. The accessibility of Peplau’s theory can be validated through the indicators of an effective interpersonal relationship with empathic linkages and progression through the stages. Being able to assess behaviors is an ability accessible to most, which can be accessible to nursing practice whether it is in the community setting or hospital setting. The importance of Peplau’s theory contributes to the valued nursing goal of wellness by improving relationships that strengthen self-worth, provide a sense of connectedness with others, and support self-confidence.

Assessing the reasons for starting university and choosing Mental Health Nursing I have to reflect back on my past. Through my two years at college I had to overcome barriers which I feel contribute to the qualities which will allow me to become an effective Mental Health Nurse. In my first year of college I had to emotionally support my family due to my father being ill. This put a strain on my college and I was only able to do work in the hours I was in college. However, I found a way to make it work to ensure everything I did was too a high standard and of good quality. During this period of time I had to construct an effective way of managing my time. On average one individual will use thirteen different strategies for time management, (Dovico.com, 2015) the strategies found most effective was a study guide which helped me plan out how many hours of coursework I needed to complete to ensure my work was off high quality and standard, I found the Open University websites the most useful resource for time management. (Www2.open.ac.uk, 2015)

Demographics: Patient is a 32-year-old, moderately built Caucasian female; separated once with 2 children. She lives with her children in her mother’s town house in the North-eastern part of the province. She is currently unemployed and receiving disability from the state from sustained back injury. She has Medicaid insurance; speaks English and practices the Baptist religion.

My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.

A. Starting of my day as a PMH nurse I first get a report of my clients for the day. This report normally lists the names the ages and why that individual is at the facility. Upon report my fellow coworkers start assessing each client’s present status. I would first do a medical assessment checking vital signs, and hearing any voiced physical/ mental complaints. Medication rounds are the most important part of my job, I handle both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care. While many of our medications on the psychiatric ward provided similar effects dosage much be watched closely, especially in my case I work the adolescent unit full time.

Ruddick, F. (2013) ‘Promoting mental health and wellbeing’, Nursing Standard, 27 (24), pp.35-39 is the article that I found most beneficial and relevant that will enable me to explain and analyse research or evaluate ]my future role and professional practice as a mental health nurse in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of Patients. It is vital that all nurses see this as imperative and an aspect that should be prioritised alongside the other as they inevitably affect each other and act as preventative measures that will avert associated health conditions.

Crystal is was admitted to CRU for increased AVH and S/I. While on the unit she had to transferred to the EOU due to these increased symptoms. During the transfer she was responding to internal stimuli which she believed was raping her. In the EOU she was able to have her medication re-evaluated and reduce the external stimuli that may have been affecting her mental health. She will d/c back to Wanda’s group home and has follow up appts with Steve I, Claire, and Erica.

About one-quarter of all American adults suffer from a mental health disorder in any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Mental health is an important component of overall health and wellness. Treatment options often include medication and psychotherapy. Mental health nurses help patients who suffer from mental illness to recover their mental health so that they can live to their fullest potential. For example, mental health nurses work in a variety of settings, such as, psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, home healthcare services, community mental health agencies, and private practice. This paper will give a description of my clinical experience at a psychiatric hospital.

From reading over the vignette it is evident that Cynthia's insight on her current illness appears to be poor and her judgment was deemed impaired by the LCSW that assessed her. She was in complete denial about there being any issues, she refused any testing or treatments and stated she would decline to be a "trained seal, guinea pig, Mr. Ed, and a barking dog". Her lack of understanding and acceptance of her mental illness has prevented her from seeking the treatment that she needs. It is important when developing treatment plans for clients to understand all aspects of the client such as; genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors in order to understand the underlying causes. Different people experience major depression differently. Therefore, the major thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that people of all ages , races, and social classes can be diagnosed with depression.

Hurley (2009) designed a qualitative study to clarify the identity of the mental health nurse. The author defines the psychiatric nurse’s role as the role as exhibited in several behaviors. The behaviors include, being a generic specialist, adopting the patient’s focus, engaging in talking therapy, interacting with the patients, and engaging in a therapeutic use of self. According to Foster, McAllister and O’Brien (2006) a therapeutic use of self is