Question

. Sarah has been working the past 5 years on a telemetry unit. After several experiences with patients suffering from mental health conditions, Sarah becomes interested in mental health nursing and is considering looking for a job as a psychiatric nurse. a.Describe the levels of practice for the psychiatric–mental health nurse. b. Discuss the guiding principles or beliefs on which psychiatric–mental health nursing is built.

4. Your instructor mentions Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General in class. You are curious and decide to read the report at: http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/NNBBHS.pdf  The instructor asks you to share your findings with the class. a.How does stigma affect individuals with mental illness? How can nurses seek to combat stigma in mental health care? b. What are the risk factors in children, adults, and older adults that increase the development of a mental illness? c.What issues associated with confidentiality does the report reveal? What do you believe could be done about these issues?

Answer 1

a. Advanced practice registered nurses(APRNs) earn masters or doctoral degrees in psychiatric -mental health nursing.

The practice of psychiatric-mental health nurse as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner is considered an advanced specialty in nursing.

Psychiatric-mental health nursing(PMHN) is a specialty within nursing. PMH nurse works with individual, families, groups, and communities assessing their mental health needs.

The PMH nurse develops a nursing diagnosis and plan of care to implements the nursing process, and evaluate it for effectiveness.

PMH nurse offers primary care services to the psychiatric mental health population. they access, diagnose and treat individual and families with psychiatric disorders, or potential for such disorders using there full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy.

APRNs(Advanced practice registered Nurses) obtain own private practices and corporations as well as consult with groups, communities legislators, and corporations.

They also contribute to policy development, quality improvement, practice evaluation, and health care reform.

b. There are some basic principle and guidelines for mental health nursing -

1. The patient is accepted exactly as he is

Being non-judgemental and non-punitive during diagnosis and treatment. (a patient behavior is not judged or a patient is not punished for his undesirable behavior)

Being sincerely interested in the patient. (Study patient behaviour thoroughly and be aware of his likes and dislikes )

Recognizing and reflecting on feelings which patient may express.(we have to understand what patient is talking about and feelings behind the content)

Talking with a purpose. (The nurse conversation with a patient must resolves around his needs, wants and interest)

Listening. (The nurse should show genuine interest to listen)

Permitting patient to express strongly held feelings. (permit patient to express his feelings)

2. Use self-understanding as a therapeutic tool

A psychiatric nurse should recognize one's own feelings and ability to aware and accept her own strengths and limitations should help to see strengths and limitations in other people.

3. Consistency is used to contribute to patients security.

4. Reassurance should be given in a subtle and acceptable manner.

5. Patient behavior is changed through emotional experience and not by rational interpretation.

6. Unnecessary increase patient anxiety should be avoided.

7. Objective observation of patient to understand his behavior.

try to understand exactly what patient wants to say

8. Maintain realistic NPR

focus the personal emotional needs of the patients and not on the patient needs.

9. Avoid physical and verbal force as much as possible.

10. Nursing care is centered on the patient as a person and not on the control of symptoms.

Two patient showing same symptoms may be expressing two different needs.

11. All explanation of the procedure and other routines are given according to the patient levels of understanding.