Nursing career is always respected and in demand worldwide. With the entry of corporate style of working in the medical services, the nursing profession too is changing its face to match the needs of patients and their needs. It is a common notion among the public that illnesses related to mental state are incurable. Even many people fear coming in the proximity of patients suffering from mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse.
However, the situation changed with the introduction of Psychiatric nursing since the late 19th century. Psychiatric nurses work with psychologists, psychiatrists, or mental health counsellors in taking care of and improving the condition of patients suffering from mental illnesses.
What do Psychiatric Nurses do?
As per the definition and guidelines of American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), a psychiatric nurse:
Performs patient assistance, assessment of mental health of patients, offers medication and therapy as per the doctor’s guidelines and intervenes during emergency or crisis conditions.
Interacts with caretakers and family members of patients and counsel them how to take care of the patient.
In cases needed, a psychiatric nurse would also aid the patient in dressing, grooming and taking their food and performing their basic day to day activities.
Collaborate with psychiatric specialists and medical care providers and other mental health specialists and work as a key role in a comprehensive psychiatric care team.
Whom does a psychiatric nurse deal with?
As a part of their profession, a psychiatric nurse would have to take care of the following personalities in achieving the best results of their treatment and bringing them back to their normal mental health state:
People suffering from drug addiction, or abuse from alcohol
Patients who experience mood swings at an extreme level such as multiple personality disorders and schizophrenia.
People suffering depression due to sudden shocks and unexpected incidents in their lives.
Elderly people who lost memory due to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
How would a psychiatric nurse help patients?
Dealing with people suffering from mental illnesses need lot of care and patience, along with humility and compassion. Psychiatric nurses start approaching patients with mental illnesses in a very careful, delicate and proven manner.
They interact with patients in a friendly way and talk to them about their medical history, symptoms, hobbies, daily routines, likes and dislikes. This is a way to gain the trust of patients and making them feel comfortable with them and let them open their heart with psychiatric nurses. They align with patients short and long-term mental health goals and work towards their achievement.
They act as per doctor’s suggestions and guidelines and make sure that their medications are taken as per schedules, analyse the reports, monitor patients’ symptoms and behaviours, give time to time inputs to the doctor and providing short or long-term care as per the doctors directions.
Where are psychiatric nurses employed?
Psychiatric nurses are in demand in places such as:
Schools and care centres especially designed for people with mental illnesses
Hospitals and mental health care organizations
Long-term care facilities
Prisons and rehabilitation centres
Community clinics
Inpatient centres for mental illness people
Correctional facilities
What qualifications are needed to become a psychiatric nurse?
A nurse aiming to pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse should have a registered nurse license, must have completed 2000 hours of nursing practice. Additionally, a 30 hours of continuing education in psychiatric nursing is a mandatory qualification.
To become a psychiatric nurse, a minimum of two-year degree in nursing is a must. Generally, it is preferable to have a bachelor of nursing degree (BSN) before one pursues the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and complete the PMHNP-BC certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ACNN).
How much does a psychiatric nurse earn?
Like in any profession, a psychiatric nurse earns depending on many factors such as experience, skill set, certifications and research work done, the hospital they are associated with and the place of work.
In general, as per the study done in the USA, a psychiatric nurse makes anywhere in between $45,790 - $80,143 per annum.
How are the future prospects for a psychiatric nursing career?
Certified, trained and experienced psychiatric nurses are always in demand owing to the awareness among the people about the mental illnesses. More and more people are accepting that the mental illnesses can be cured and coming forward to take the help of psychiatric specialists. This is causing a positive increase in the demand for psychiatric nurses across the globe.
What else should you know about becoming a psychiatric nurse?
Some of the distinctions that make this career an all entirely different one form other branches of nursing are:
As a psychiatric nurse, once you gain the confidence of the patient, they talk to you their heart. This sometimes can involve the darkest secrets of their lives. Which means, every patient in psychiatric nursing is a new experience to see the world in a new way.
While the rest of the world is keeping away the mental illness patients, as a psychiatric nurse, you care about them and treat them. The reward? After they finally get cured, they can never ever thank you enough for your support and help. This brings out the ultimate satisfaction that this job offers.
While it is very sensitive dealing with mentally ill people, as a psychiatric nurse, you should never too get involved emotionally between them. It is essential that you always remember that they are patients at the first step and treat them that way, but just with more compassion and care.
Conclusion
Psychiatric nursing is a profession in demand, promising and rewarding. Not everyone can become a psychiatric nurse. Only the individuals blessed with compassion, excellent communication skills and patience, high levels of emotional maturity and ability to tackle crisis situations can pursue a rewarding career in psychiatric nursing and shine. Once you have proven that you have these qualities and excel yourself in psychiatric care, the world welcomes with countless opportunities all across the globe.