Monday, April 15, 2013

An Overview of Psychiatric Nursing

What are the responsibilities of a psychiatric nurse?

Nurses who focus in the treatment of patients with mental disorders are called psychiatric nurses. Also called mental health nurses, they are involved in treatments that are either in-patient or out-patient based, like those of depressed and bipolar patients as well as those with other types of conditions concerning mental health. Patients of psychiatric nurses can include the critically ill and even those who are willing take action towards health improvement.

Psychiatric nurses are given special training to familiarize them with various treatment therapies that include effective techniques in dealing with patients that are non-compliant and extremely challenging.

What are the obstacles a psychiatric nurse must face?

One of the leading challenges psychiatric nurses must face include those of caring for patients who refuse treatment. Some patients may even wish to remain ill. Aversion towards treatment is present in patients of both an outpatient or inpatient based health facility. This general reluctance of patients makes the treatment process complicated.

What specialized training does the psychiatric nurse receive?

What kind of training do psychiatric nurses undergo?

Part of the training given to psychiatric nurses include psychiatric medicine administration. Aside from being comfortable in giving both oral medications and intramuscular (IM) injections, they must have the knowledge of the side effects of different kinds of medications.

Although medications may be frequently used in the treatment of patients, a psychiatric nurse should also be familiarized with other types of therapy included in the treatment plan. Even though the counselor or physician is responsible of the psychotherapy given to the patient, the nurse should also know the concepts and purpose of the treatment. Because nurses see their patients more often than doctors and counselors, they can be watchful of alterations in behavior or alarming developments affecting the recovery of the patient.

Jobs available for a psychiatric nurse

Various career paths are available for nurses interested in the field of mental health. Though many people consider working in the usual inpatient facility, there are other settings like out- patient hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals where psychiatric nurses do work. Health clinics that are community- based also employ psychiatric nurses who can handle addiction programs and give counsel to those struggling with their problems in alcohol dependency and drug abuse.

Nurses can also do public service, work for an office or do home visitations for people who need a nurse for their mental health. They also work in courts where they take care of the imprisoned before and also after a trial. Many choose to work in retirement communities to. With the an increase in the aging population, nurses are best trained to cater to the demands of elderly patients with dementia.

Psychiatric nurses and kinds of them

A licensed practical nurse and a licensed psychiatric technician can give medications to and keep the record of their psychiatric patients. Registered nurses can perform the LPN's responsibilities and provide help in doing assessments. If they did receive the appropriate training, they can also provide counseling. For an RN who was able to finish a masters degree or a doctorate degree, he can then work as a nurse practitioner. Furthermore, psychiatric nurse practitioners can give psychiatric diagnosis as well as give medications. For states, psychiatric nurse practitioner are allowed to work independently, but for some, they need to be under the supervision of a physician.








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