Mental Health Nursing Definition

Mental health nursing, commonly known as psychiatric nursing, is a specialization of the nursing field that requires taking care of patients suffering from mental health disorders in order to assist them with recovery and enhance their lives.

Mental health nurses are skilled and have a thorough understanding of assessment and the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses that allows them to offer specialized treatment. They are usually part of a team with other professionals who supervise them with the goal of providing the best medical outcomes to the patient.

The effects of mental illness may affect people regardless of age, race, caste, or socioeconomic class. This is why mental health nurses might have to deal with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds.

Role

Mental health nurses are accountable for-

• Evaluation and assessment of the patient's mental health
• Treatment care plan development
• Consulting with other health professionals regarding treatment plans
• Taking care of patients and psychotherapy
• Maintaining medical records
• Providing education and support to the patient and their family

The primary function of a mental health professional is to offer care to those suffering from a psychiatric disorder, mental health issue, or other behavioral issues. Many of the duties performed by a nurse in the mental health field are comparable to those of psychiatrists and involve diagnosing psychotherapy and prescription medication.

A few mental health professionals opt to specialize further, for example, in managing people suffering from psychotic disorders of specific age or association. This could include geriatrics, adolescents, children, substance abuse victims, and people with eating disorders.

Training and Education

There are many training and education paths that could result in a career as a mental health nurse practitioner (APRN-PMH). Because it's a nursing specialization, one must complete their bachelor's degree in nursing and pass the board examination to become a registered nurse (RN).

When they graduate and are registered, the nurse may choose to earn a master's or doctorate degree in advanced practice nursing, which includes the option of specializing in psychiatry and mental health care. The program includes the most extensive practical experience that is an essential curriculum component. After finishing, the nurse can decide to pursue a one-year stay in the residency program to enhance the skills they have acquired.

Within the United States, mental health nurses have been certified as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP-BC), which takes place through the America Nurses Credentialing Center.

Career

Someone who would be a good fit for the job of a mental health nurse should have the following qualities:

• Interest in mental illness and behavioral disorders
• Emotional, compassionate, Empathetic, and non-judgmental
• Outstanding communication abilities
• Self-aware and emotionally stable
• Skills for problem-solving and critical thinking
• Attentive to detail

Mental health nurses operate in different settings based on their job and the function they fulfill. These include psychiatric clinics, hospitals, substance abuse programs, in-home care, and community agencies.

The working hours of a nurse are contingent upon the location within which they operate. In clinics or hospitals that provide round-the-clock services, they may have shifts that are scheduled for night-time, weekends, and even on holidays. But people working in community agencies or private practices typically work during regular working hours.

Benefits of being in the Mental Health Nursing Profession

1. Job Security

Numerous medical institutions are in search of nurses who specialize in mental health care. Some are unable to find the professionals they need, and, in turn, they can give more money and benefits along with excellent care to the nurses they hire.

If you're lucky enough to find a job within mental health nursing, then you can stay in the position for as long as you'd prefer. It is easy to change your mind and relocate to another place in the event of something fresh or different you'd want to explore to expand your career. There are plenty of possibilities for those working in mental health nursing.

With an increasing number of individuals in need of help with their mental health as a result of the pandemic as well as other problems all over the globe, there is a huge demand for nurses who specialize in mental health in both the public and private sectors. Opportunities with pay and benefits higher than before are provided to recruit those with the highest level of qualification.

2. Career Progression

There are many different possibilities for career opportunities that you can pursue as a mental health nurse. You could be a nurse specialist who deals with young children or adults. You can also choose to be a part of a particular care area, such as providing assistance to children suffering from addiction to alcohol or drug abuse.

There are a variety of aspects of mental health that the patients require help in. If you are a mental health nurse, you'll be able to assist people who need help. Whether you choose to specialize within your field or not, there are numerous fun tasks that will allow you to grow your career and gain maximum benefit within a short time.

However, some job opportunities you consider will be restricted in terms of how far you're allowed to advance or set a variety of regulations that limit your abilities; however, when you work as a mental health professional, the sky is the limit. You can create your own path to a career according to your preferences.

3. Good Salary

A mental health nurse is qualified to earn a high income for helping patients. The median annual income for a nurse with a specialization in mental health and wellness is $71,000 per year. Additionally, there are specialties to increase your earnings and choose diverse facilities and places that will help you extract maximum value from your degree.

Mental health nurses are in great demand throughout the globe. A dearth of people would like to pursue this type of work, and the profession is in high demand, particularly since more and more individuals are beginning to recognize that they require assistance for their well-being. That means you'll have the ability to ask for an increase in salary during this process.

If you're willing to become a traveling mental health nurse or negotiate your wages, you'll discover that you can make much more in this job. A good track record in the field and a wealth of knowledge working in this field are the best strategies to ensure you can earn the amount you are due as a nurse in the field of mental health.

4. The Ability to Help Out Others

One of the toughest challenges of being a mental health nurse is the fact that you will be working with various types of patients. Some have even experienced emotional trauma or mental stress. It is essential to possess increased empathy and understanding as an individual to provide them with the proper treatment and care that they require.

Even though it is sometimes an issue, it is an opportunity to be blessed and is one of the reasons why this is an excellent career option that you can make.

Mental health nurses are trained to provide assistance with a wide variety of patient behaviors. Through the process, they are helping the patients to heal and feel better than ever before.This helps the patients adapt better to their surroundings.

If you're looking for an occupation that can help you make a significant amount of money while making an impact on the lives of people, it is time to think about the possibility of becoming a mental health nurse. Every day you get the chance to improve the lives of patients. This could make it a satisfying career, to begin with.

Conclusion

Becoming a mental health nurse can be an exciting and rewarding career. Many individuals across the nation are looking for someone to assist them in navigating through a variety of problems with mental health, as well as other issues.

There are a lot of options regarding the path to follow as a nurse. No one will be as fulfilling as becoming a mental health nurse. A mental health nurse is required to monitor the patients' progress, help diagnose the problem, help design a treatment plan, help them take medicines, and take care of them in general. Given the benefits mentioned above, it is indeed a rewarding and satisfying career option.