Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Assignment

Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties

My selected nursing specialty is the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs are tasked with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric and mental health needs. They provide comprehensive care based on the client’s care needs and offer services such as prescription, medication, and psychotherapy (Chapman et al., 2019). The academic requirements for the PMHNP role include a Master of Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialty in psychiatric mental health care and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification (PMHNP-BC) (APNA, 2023a). PMHNPs are commonly deployed in mental health units, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, and private practices. Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Assignment

On the contrary, my second preferred nursing specialty is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). This role involves disease diagnosis, prescription, and routine follow-ups thus providing holistic care to individuals or families (Schober, 2018). The focus is on disease prevention and health promotion. FNPS is commonly deployed in schools, community health centers, hospitals, and clinics. The role requires an MSN or DNP specializing in family practice and a certification in family nurse practice.

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Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

The choice of the PMHNP is driven by the urge to help address the psychiatric and mental health care needs and the global growth of psychiatric and mental health challenges which has increased the burden of care. The COVID-19 pandemic increased life stressors such as fear and anxiety leading to high mental health cases (Das, 2020). Despite the increase in psychiatric and mental health illnesses, the matter is accorded dismal and disproportional attention. In light, there is a growing demand in clinical practice that mandates continued learning to align academic knowledge to real-life care demands. Besides, people are exposed to various stressors than the previous years which accounts for the increase in mental health conditions. Therefore, it is imperative to integrate the members back into society by addressing their stressors and improving their mental health conditions through professional care. In addition, there are stereotypes, attitudes, and perceptions in seeking mental healthcare services that bar people from seeking help as well as improving their coping. Consequently, there is a need for mental health practitioners to engage in patient advocacy, education, and health promotion to foster awareness and improved patient care. Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Assignment

Based on individual experiences and the desire to have an impact on psychiatric and mental health management, I believe I made the right choice to improve the clients’ experience and change their beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of mental health conditions. I chose the PMHNP specialty as it promotes lifespan management of mental health and integrates the clients back into society as productive members.

Step 3: Professional Organizations

Nurses are obligated to be part to be recognized by professional organizations that relate to their specialties. The professional organization related to psychiatric and mental health nursing is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) which focuses on improving science and education in psychiatric and mental health nursing. According to APNA APNA (2023a)), mental health nurses and advanced practice nurses are the second largest behavioral health professional practitioners. Membership is attained through registration with the organization through group registration or application to the website. Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Assignment

The organization allows different types of membership. There is regular membership accessible to registered nurses which aligns the personal and professional goals to the association’s strategic goals and objectives, international membership which allows non-residents of the US to apply, affiliate membership for healthcare professionals besides registered nurses, and retired membership which allows application to retired registered nurses. Full-time nursing students are also allowed through the student membership. The association entails psychiatric-mental health RNs and APRNs working in research, outpatient, inpatient, private practice, and administration (APNA, 2023b). It offers education, support, and resources crucial to mental health care.

References

APNA. (2023a). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing – psychiatric nursing. https://www.apna.org/about-psychiatric-nursing/

APNA. (2023b). Become an APNA member – about APNA membership. https://www.apna.org/membership/

Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: Impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X

Das, N. (2020). Psychiatrist in post-COVID-19 era – Are we prepared? Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102082

Schober, M. (2018). Global emergence of nurse practitioner/advanced practice nursing roles. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(4), 182-184. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000029 Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Assignment

– instructions are attached
– this is a continuation of the previous weeks work (this is part 4 and final part)
– template is attached (must be filled in the template under (Week 6 | Part 4: Finalizing the Plan Step 1, 2 and 3)
– For this assignment: Fill out in the template where it says Week 6 | Part 4: Finalizing the Plan- Complete only part where it says Week 6 | Part 4: Finalizing the Plan Step 1, 2 and 3

-( The other parts of this paper has been completed by you )

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