Analysis Of The Mental Health Nurse Program - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the Analysis Of The Mental Health Nurse Program. Answer: Nursing is denoted as a noble profession in which professionals provide direct care to the patients for achieving consequential outcomes. Grounded in this dignified profession, areas of practice that have particular focus have emerged nursing specialities. Nursing specialisation focuses on nursing practice in a particular field within the vast domain of professional nursing. Each nursing speciality has a discreet speciality scope of practice along with defined standards of professional practice (Townsend Morgan, 2017). The present essay discusses and analyses the scope of practice and professional attributes differentiating the speciality nursing area of mental health nursing practice. The essay aims at identifying the additional education and training needed for moving from novice to expert in this field. The NMBA competencies for registered nurses are referred to for this purpose. Mental health nurses in Australia are at present taking the lead in addressing the diverse patient needs in the country. Nurses working in the mental health field are known to discover a diverse range of exciting role and ever-changing responsibilities. Mental health nursing is one of the different specialised branch of nursing that entails specific sets of skills, knowledge and attitudes focusing on the care of individuals with mental health concerns (Edward et al., 2015). Mental health concerns include mood disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, psychosis and drug use. Mental health nurses are to address needs of clients suffering from these conditions. As per the reports of World Health Organisation, one in four people have chances of suffering mental disorder at some point in time. Therefore the increased need for mental health nurses is felt across countries, including Australia (Fortinash Worret 2014). If a professional has an undergraduate degree in nursing, registration can be done for the person as a nurse after which one can work in the majority of the mental health settings. Nevertheless, for becoming a consultant mental health nurse, one needs to complete postgraduate study in the same field at Graduate Diploma or Masters Level. Specialist mental health nurses might also complete additional training in particular therapies. There is high demand for mental heath nurses across Australia (Daly et al., 2017). The scope of practice of mental health nurses in Australia involves an extensive range of functions, roles, accountabilities, responsibilities, innovations, modalities, creativities and activities. The practice is based on the process of ethical decision making. Mental health nurses are supposed to work across the diverse clinical and service settings in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas. The diversity in practice is basic to the prevention of physical health complications, promotion of mental health, prevention of mental illness, and provision of therapeutic interventions (Wilson et al., 2017). As highlighted by Mrtensson et al., (2014) mental health nurses are to work in the community and health care settings as a crucial member of a continuum of care teams who is responsible for providing ongoing care emphasised on recovery through support and treatment. Within a hospital, one might work in a psychiatric ward, outpatient unit, psychiatric intensive care unit, speciali st unit. In the community, one might work at a GP surgery, community health care centre, patients own home and prison. They are responsible for supporting clients and family members at the time of life crisis and periods of transitions. Educating patients on maintenance and restoration of mental health is also a key job. The nursing workforce has to be responsive and flexible and must be in a position to work with clients across the lifespan (Stevens et al., 2013). According to Cleary et al., (2017) mental health nurse is to work with individuals coming from different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds and religions. Professionalism and collaboration are at the core of mental health nursing practice. Advocacy also holds a prime position in such practice as mental health conditions are marginalised and stigmatised in our communities. Hurley et al., (2016) explained the personal characteristics and skills needed by a professional to become a successful mental health nurse. Personality and communication skills are elementary in mental health nursing. One also needs to have adequate knowledge about mental health problems and the process of applying it in practice. One needs to be engaging and warm in nature, as empathy and affection are to be shown while communicating with patients. Skills include the ability to offer advice, good judgement and problem solving ability. One also needs to have the right values and behaviours for becoming a mental he alth nurse. Practice is to be guided by the 6Cs; care, compassion, competence, courage, commitment and communication (Wand et al., 2016). The national competency standards for the registered nurses, outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), are the fundamental standards of competency that act as the framework for guiding nursing practice in the country. A mental health nurse is to advise by these standards which focus on professional practice, critical thinking and analysis, coordination of care, and collaborative and therapeutic practice. According to these standards, a nurse is to fulfil the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities that demand protection of patient rights. A nurse is to relate to professional development and integrate evidence-based practice. The care provided by them must include proper planning, implementation and evaluation of care. Lastly, a nurse must establish, sustain and conclude the therapeutic relationship with the client in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au, 2012). In Australia, mental health nurses are not endorsed by the national registration guidelines. Thus, the sole and nationally consistent way of recognizing a mental health nurse is through the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) Credential for Practice Program. The ACMHN Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses 2010 are highlighted by a number of primary values. These include working in settings in collaboration and corporation with the stakeholders, acknowledging the preferences of the client, recognising rights of patients, utilising evidence base for practice and enabling a culturally safe care delivery (Happell Platania-Phung, 2017). At the end of the discussion, it can be concluded that mental health nurses are to provide support and care to individuals suffering from mental health conditions. The care revolves around helping the individual recover from illness and comes to terms with life with a positive outlook. As a mental health nurse, the particular job role would depend on the setting and specialist group to work with. There is increasing opportunity for mental health nurses in Australia at present. This speciality practice area would gain prominence in the future. References Cleary, M., Lees, D., Molloy, L., Escott, P., Sayers, J. (2017). Recovery-oriented Care and Leadership in Mental Health Nursing.Issues in Mental Health Nursing,38(5), 458-460. Daly, J., Speedy, S., Jackson, D. (2017).Contexts of nursing: An introduction. Elsevier Health Sciences. Edward, K. L., Warelow, P., Hemingway, S., Hercelinskyj, G., Welch, A., McAndrew, S., Stephenson, J. (2015). Motivations of nursing students regarding their educational preparation for mental health nursing in Australia and the United Kingdom: a survey evaluation.BMC nursing,14(1), 29. Fortinash, K. M., Worret, P. A. H. (2014).Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. Happell, B., Platania-Phung, C. (2017). Review and analysis of the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program.Australian Health Review. Hurley, J., Cashin, A., Mills, J., Hutchinson, M., Graham, I. (2016). A critical discussion of Peer Workers: implications for the mental health nursing workforce.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing,23(2), 129-135. Mrtensson, G., Jacobsson, J. W., Engstrm, M. (2014). Mental health nursing staff's attitudes towards mental illness: an analysis of related factors.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing,21(9), 782-788. National competency standards for the registered nurse. (2012).www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. Stevens, J., Browne, G., Graham, I. (2013). 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