TRANSITIONAL ASSIGNMENT 11
Nursing practice is dynamic, and it requires at all levels to expand their knowledge and skills. Nursing education prepares nurses in integrating theory and practice and for advanced practice nursing. The MSN program is a postgraduate which prepares nurses to take clinical positions (specialists), administrators, educators, health poly experts and nurse managers. The complexity of the healthcare system requires nurses to take higher positions and be involved in policy development and decision-making hence further nursing education is mandatory (Mohr, 2015). Specialization in nursing enables nurses to enact change while working closely with patients, health professionals, and health policymakers.
The MSN specialization offered in Walden is a Nurse practitioner and speciality program. I specialize in Psychiatric and mental health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and my second preferred choice nurse executive program. The PMHNP can access, examine, diagnose and treat patients who have mental illness and can offer a variety of services to children, adults, families and the elderly (Rhoads, & PMHNP-BE, 2016). The Psychiatrist can provide psychotherapy and prescribe medication to the patient and families with a history of mental illness. They work in private centres, hospital, and agencies that deal with mental health. On the other hand, a nurse executive is a speciality practice in nursing leadership roles. This profession helps MSN nurses to gain essential skills for effective decision-making, motivation, coaching, quality assurance, and management of organization resources.
I chose PMHNP because this is what motivated me to join the nursing school. Mental illness is becoming a significant cause of death, attempted suicide, and depression. I will be able to work with individuals, families, groups, and community to meet their mental health needs. The MSN program will help me advance my scope of practice, such as prescribing medicine and administering Psychotherapy. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, research, scientific rationales, and collaborative practice to ensure that patient-centred care is delivered (Mohr, 2015). My interaction with different psychiatrists has motivated me to complete the MSN program. I will be able to fight for the rights of the mentally ill, and ensure that they receive the support needed from the family, community, and government.
After working in different departments as a nurse practitioner, I have gained a broad knowledge of the management of diseases, skills, attitude and recommended behaviour in interacting with diverse populations. Building a good rapport with patients will help me communicate effectively with all types of patients, and get them to open up willingly. When facing difficult situations, we all want that friend, someone, or parent that we trust to listen, hug, and assure us that all is going to be okay. However, that is not the case in today’s society. People fear to be criticized, isolated, and stigmatized; therefore, it is difficult to open up. For me, this profession has helped me reach these people, give them a leaning shoulder, and it has given my career a meaning. My goal is to establish a mental centre and dedicate my life in serving all the affected populations for free, irrespective of their status.
The professional organization for PMHNP is the American Psychiatric Nurse Association (APNA) whose purpose is identifying mental health issues, prevention, and the care and treatment of people with psychiatric disorders (Rhoads, & PMHNP-BE, 2016). To acquire membership, I will complete my doctorate program based on psychological dissertation. There are different types of memberships and requires paying of dues. The membership will enable me interact with different professionals, share ideas, and participate in reforming mental health in our societies. Therefore, the MSN training program will enable me achieve my goals and serve the vulnerable individuals in the community. I will strive to ensure that mental health is embraced positively and resources allocated to solve mental illness in the society.
References
Mohr, W. K. (Ed.). (2015). Psychiatric-mental health nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Retrieved from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Psychiatric-Mental-Health-Nursing-Mohr/923ac6c03a41a883516a9215a972bce981456160
Rhoads, J., & PMHNP-BE, C. C. (Eds.). (2016). Clinical consult for psychiatric mental health care. Springer Publishing Company. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=34LhpLT9taYC&oi=fnd&pg
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved from: https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing