Psychiatric nursing involves caring for people with mental illnesses, psychological disorders, and emotional distress. Nurses must attend nursing school and specialize in areas of interest. They develop treatment plans, administer medications, and lead group counseling sessions. Board certification is recommended for better job prospects and pay rates.
Psychiatric nursing, also called mental health nursing, is a branch of the nursing profession that revolves around caring for people with mental illnesses, psychological disorders, and emotional distress. People at all stages of life can be cared for by psychiatric nurses, although some nurses choose to specialize in areas of particular interest, such as caring for teenagers or dealing with geriatric patients. Psychiatric nursing job prospects are quite varied and pay rates are very diverse, ranging from well-paid nurses in private institutions to employees of government-funded mental health clinics.
To become a psychiatric nurse, one must first attend nursing school, ideally taking courses in psychology and psychiatry and taking advantage of internship hours to work with mentally ill patients. Psychiatric nursing certifications often involve training in specific mental health topics such as psychiatric medications, counseling, and psychology upon completion of nursing school. Students also learn about establishing good patient relationships, as the relationship between the caregiver and the patient is especially important in treatment plans for mental illness.
Nurses trained in this field can recognize the signs of psychological disorders and can work to prevent serious disorders from developing. They may also develop treatment plans for patients and work with other mental health professionals to address the patient’s needs. As some cases of mental illness are also accompanied by physical problems, which can range from dental problems due to neglect to physical impairments caused by brain damage, psychiatric nursing also involves routine nursing tasks such as administering medications and caring for patients. The overall goal is to maintain a high quality of life for the patient and to promote overall health, not just good mental health.
In addition to caring for individual patients, psychiatric nurses can also help lead group counseling sessions. They may also choose to work on developing healthy health policies that promote the maintenance of mental health. Psychiatric nursing is a diverse branch of the nursing field, and the expertise of a psychiatric nurse can be extremely valuable when discussing public health initiatives, community outreach programs, and other health care efforts.
While board certification is not necessarily required for people who want to work in psychiatric nursing, it is highly recommended. Board certification requires passing a special exam, and candidates may also need to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other supporting materials. Board-certified psychiatric nurses are more employable and may be eligible for senior positions and better pay rates.
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