Taaka Cash - An Overview of Psychiatric Nursing
What are the responsibilities of a psychiatric nurse?
Taaka Cash - Nurses who focus on 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 critically ill and even those who are willing to 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?
Taaka Cash says 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 includes psychiatric medication administration. Aside from being comfortable in giving both oral medications and intramuscular (IM) injections, they must have 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 for 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.
Psychiatric nurses and kinds of them
Taaka Cash - 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 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 master's degree or a doctorate degree, he can then work as a nurse practitioner. Furthermore, psychiatric nurse practitioners can give a psychiatric diagnosis as well as give medications. For states, psychiatric nurse practitioners are allowed to work independently, but for some, they need to be under the supervision of a physician.