Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion

Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion

The emergence of numerous specializations has made it possible for nurses to focus on a particular area of focus or patient population by meeting certain educational certification requirements and gaining work experience.  Mental health is my chosen nursing specialty within the MSN program. After fulfilling the educational and certification requirements, I will become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion . According to Chapman et al. (2018), a PMHNP is a registered nurse who has received graduate training in mental health and whose practice is the same as that of a psychiatrist and includes performing diagnostic assessments, evaluating physical health conditions, and managing psychiatric disorders.

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I had difficulties choosing mental health. I was concerned that as a PMHNP, I will have a hard time working in mental health settings because many people have negative attitudes toward mentally ill people. The duty to provide and improve access to mental health services is a factor that drove my decisions.   Due to the rise of mental disorders and the unmet treatment needs of mentally ill patients, I felt that I have the opportunity and professional obligation to improve mental health of Americans. According to Finley (2020), mental illness affects around 20 percent of the United States population aged thirteen years and older annually, totaling around 467 billion dollars in indirect and direct costs per year. Overall, there is limited access to mental health care as less than half of mentally ill patients receive professional treatment Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion .

Professional nursing organizations exist to support the practice of nursing, promote self-regulation, and articulate nursing values. An essential factor in the professional development of a nurse is active membership in one or more professional organizations. Membership offers networking opportunities with colleagues and peers and access to educational resources including publications, conferences, webinars, and websites (Cherry et al., 2019).  The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional organization affiliated with mental health nursing.  According to DeCapua (2017), the APNA represents psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurses. The APNA supports psychiatric nursing and advocates for mental health care through knowledge dissemination on recovery-focused assessment and treatment of persons with substance use disorders and mental illness.   To become a member of APNA, one is required to download and complete the APNA membership application form and mail the form together with the payment.  The student membership fee is 75 dollars while regular membership fee is 135 dollars (DeCapua, M. (2017)Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion .

References

Chapman, S. A., Phoenix, B. J., Hahn, T. E., & Strod, D. C. (2018). Utilization and Economic Contribution of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Public Behavioral Health Services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S243-S249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.045

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Scott, E.  Leveraging the power of Board Leadership in Professional Nursing Organizations. JONA, 49(11), 517-519. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805

DeCapua, M. (2017).  Get to Know the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. https://www.healthecareers.com/articles/career/know-american-psychiatric-nurses-association

Finley, B. A. (2020). Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Meeting Rural Mental Health Challenges. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 26(1), 97-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319886357 Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion

Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program (MY CHOICE BEING MENTAL HEALTH). Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.

You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.

Decisions are often not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, initial postings to Discussions are due on or before Day 3, and response postings are due on or before Day 6. You are required to participate in the Discussion on at least three different days (a different day for main post and each response). It is important to adhere to the weekly time frame to allow others ample time to respond to your posting. In addition, you are expected to respond to questions directed toward your own initial posting in a timely manner.

To Prepare: Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion 

Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.

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By Day 3 of Week 10

Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member Examining Nursing Specialties Essay Discussion