Psychiatric Nurse

What Is A Psychiatric Nurse?

Psychiatric nursing is a special type of nursing that deals with the care, prevention and cure of various and sundry, mental disorders. Psychiatric nursing utilizes many methods and services to help the mentally ill. These nurses give aid, comfort and professional nursing services to those suffering from such diseases as psychosis, paranoia, depression and also help and care for the mentally ills physical needs. The psychiatric nurses other duties also include: being observant with possible drug therapy reactions, giving consolation and helpful advice for those in occupational settings, help with social situation needs, are involved with the patients psychotherapy needs and offer leadership assistance and to other nurses and health care employees.Psychiatric nursing involves two levels of care; basic and advanced. Registered nurses working at the basic level work with groups, individuals, families and others to help find out what the health needs of the patient might bephysical and mental needs, and diagnose and evaluate current and future nursing care. In addition, registered nurses are considered the largest health care occupation, holding fast to 2.5 million jobs. Statistics show that of these, about 59 percent of these jobs are in hospitals. Basic level nursing is also characterized by interventions that promote health, assess dysfunction of the patient, assist clients to regain or improve their coping abilities, and prevent further disability.These interventions that the registered nurses working at the basic level perform, focus on psychiatric-mental health clients, give instruction toward health promotion, utilize preventive management toward a therapy type of environment; assist the client with self-care activities; administer and monitor psychobiological treatment regimens, teach basic health information, instruct on crisis intervention, and work as counselors with the patient and assist with case management.

Advanced psychiatric nursing is more comprehensive and technical. Once a nurse has received a masters or doctoral degree, they are then able to offer a wider array of services to the mentally ill and his or her family. These advanced psychiatric nurses are able to diagnose, assess, treat mental health problems and treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, they are able to provide many primary mental health care services to groups, families, individuals and communities. They can also work as psychotherapists and some are able to prescribe medications. Advanced psychiatric nurses can also act as consultants to the staff in some medical settings. In addition, psychiatric nurses in general, compassionately show to patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries and give good information on diet, exercise and taking medications. Also, some RNs help to give health screenings or help with immunization clinics and blood drives.Some sub-specialties in psychiatric nursing include adolescent, child, adult and forensic areas. Certification in a sub-specialty is possible through ANCC and various sub-specialty organizations.

In order to become a psychiatric nurse, a broad range of education requirements must be met. Examples of the comprehensive knowledge required in order to become a psychiatric nurse are: various course completions in biology, mental health and mental illness theories and applications, legal and technical knowledge, a comprehensive background knowledge of biopsychosocial assessments, use of psychiatric diagnostic classification systems, and monitoring and administering psychopharmacologic agents. A PMH nurse usually holds a BSN, AD, or diploma. An advanced PMH nurse holds a masters or doctoral degree and is ANCC certified and also has an advanced practice license from the state where she is employed as a practicing psychiatric nurse.Practice settings for the psychiatric nurse are varied and comprehensive. Examples of such practice settings can be found in partial or full hospitals, home-care programs, and federal, state of local mental health facilities. In addition, other practice settings for the psychiatric nurse can be found at schools of nursing, home health agencies and of course, private practice.Salary for a psychiatric nurse is adequate but with the broad range of knowledge that is required for this position, should, in this writers opinion, be much higher.