Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.

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. By Day 3 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. Support main post with 3 of more current, credible sources and cite source within content of posting and on a reference list in proper APA.Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.

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Examining Nursing Specialties

Psychiatric /Mental Health Nursing MSN

I chose to pursue a MSN degree in psychiatric mental health nursing so that I can attain the knowledge and skills to enable me to work with populations of all ages and evaluate their mental health, diagnose mental conditions, and offer primary care services. An increase in mental health issues and substance abuse disorder combined with the rising shortage of psychiatric mental health (PMH) practitioners implies that individuals who require mental assistance are not able to access it. As indicated by Ong et al (2017),   PMH nursing focuses on prevention, nursing care, and treatment of individuals of all ages suffering from disorders and how the disorders affect them.Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.

I had difficulties in choosing to pursue a master’s degree PMH nursing because believed mentally ill individuals are difficult to handle and can at times be violent. Thus, was not interested in pursuing PMH nursing as a specialty, or working in a setting that provides mental health care.  Thongpriwan et al (2015) allege that negative attitudes towards mentally ill individuals, negative experiences associate with dealing with individuals with mental illness are key reasons why PMH nursing is not a favored career option among students who have completed their undergraduate nursing studies.  Several factors drove my decision to pursue psychiatric nursing as a specialty.  I like to assist people and I am a helper in nature. As a PMHN, I will be able to assist individuals with mental health problems to lead productive and healthy lives. Also, I find human behavior and psychology interesting and I like being of service to individuals and society.Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional organization devoted to PMH nursing specialty.   Founded in 1986, the mission of APNA is to promote wellness and health by identifying mental health issues,   preventing mental health problems and treatment, and caring for individuals with psychiatric disorders. The organization provides its members with opportunities for continuing education as well as professional development (Neukrug, 2016). One becomes a member of APNA by applying for membership by filling a professional member application form and sending it to the organization through email.   One is required to pay a Student membership fee of 25 dollars. Processing of membership application takes around two weeks and membership is processed, one is sent a member welcome letter, including a membership card via email.Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.

References

Neukrug, E. S. (2016). A Brief Orientation to Counselling: Professional Identity, History, and Standards. Cengage Learning.

Ong, H. L., Seow, E., Chua, B. Y., Xie, H., Wang, J., Lau, Y. W., Chong, S. A., & Subramaniam, M. (2017). Why is psychiatric nursing not the preferred option for nursing students: A cross-sectional study examining pre-nursing and nursing school factors. Nurse Education Today, 52, 95-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.02.014

Thongpriwan, V., Leuck, S. E., Powell, R .L., Young, S., Schuler, S. G., & Hughes, R. G. (2015). Undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes s toward mental health nursing.  Nursing Education Today, 35(8), 948-953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2015.03.011

Examining Nursing Specialties Essay.