Roles and Ways of Knowing, Thesis Example

Introduction

The role of Nurse Practitioner is challenging and rewarding in many ways. This role requires an astute level of knowledge and an understanding of nursing practice and its diverse role in patient care and treatment. Furthermore, Advanced Nurse Practitioners (APNs) represent a highly advanced approach to nursing practice that supports scholarship, teaching, practice, and service at expanded levels. APNs exemplify an expert understanding of patient needs and enhanced education to promote new forms of knowledge and the important contributions that this role provides. To explore this role further, the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offers a unique contribution to nursing practice and supports the understanding of mental health disorders and related concerns that reduce the quality of life for many patients. This group possesses many specific needs that require nurses with superior knowledge of mental health issues that are of primary importance.

Discussion

Scholarship within APN programs requires an effective understanding of the different strategies that are required to manage patients with mental disorders or who face other mental challenges. From this perspective, nurses must possess expert knowledge, the ability to communicate these ideas and key principles to other nurses, excellent practice-based skills and objectives, and the ability to serve others in this role with confidence and leadership. ANPs working with patients and with other nurses must be able to exercise superior skills and adapt easily to a variety of situations without difficulty or hesitation. These efforts will support positive outcomes for patient care and for nursing practice as a whole.

The Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) plays a critical role in the continued growth and expansion of nursing –based services for individuals facing mental disorders or other related concerns. This role is complex and challenging in many ways and requires an individual with patience, understanding, compassion, and strength in order to accommodate this complex patient population. This role is consistent with the objectives of Advanced Practice Nurses because this type of nurse requires a specific skill set and body of knowledge that is appropriate for the chosen group. Furthermore, in order to achieve this role, a series of requirements must be met that will lead to expert knowledge in this area of focus, including certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. However, certification requires successful graduation from a Doctor of Nursing Practice program with a specialization and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

The ability to achieve success as a PMHNP requires a deep understanding of the roles and responsibilities of this high profile position. It is important for those in this role to be prepared for the responsibilities of this position by recognizing the value of the role and the contributions that are provided to those with mental health issues. Patients facing these conditions must be provided with a skilled level of nursing care and treatment that supports the patient’s entire being, including his or her mental, physical, psychological, and emotional needs. There are considerable efforts that must be made to address the challenges of this role and the capacity to develop new perspectives and approaches that will have a positive impact on patient outcomes over the long term. Expert knowledge of the APN framework must support the ability to have a positive influence on patients, regardless of their needs. From a practice perspective, it is essential to develop strategies that are both efficient and supportive of patients in the context of their mental health capacity. The challenges that must be met within this area of specialization are many; therefore, nurses must be prepared to work with patients facing many different types of situations. In addition, within this role, it is necessary to address advanced practice objectives that include continuing education, emerging trends within the field, and the management of new perspectives that will be effective in minimizing the long-term complications that patients face in order to preserve their wellbeing as best as possible.

From the perspective of psychiatry nursing, it is necessary to develop strategies that will enhance the knowledge that is acquired within this area. Psychiatry nursing is a challenging field to begin with and not only requires expert knowledge, but also a level of compassion for the patient population and an understanding of their mental health needs. The expansion of knowledge within this field requires expert yet practical approaches to managing outcomes for patients who otherwise would struggle without mental health support in this capacity. There are many skills that are utilized in traditional nursing practice that are also applicable in this area and support the creation of new opportunities for growth and change within the field. It is more important than ever to demonstrate that psychiatric nursing requires a number of special skills and attributes that nurses must exemplify in all areas of emerging practice.

Perhaps the most important paradigm that is applicable to this area of study is the interpretive paradigm because it supports the creation of an environment that is conducive to positive results and contributions to nursing practice, based upon existing knowledge, skills, and experiences. In using this paradigm, it is likely that growth within the area of advanced practice nursing will be recognized as a means of personal and professional growth that captures a true understanding of mental health needs and frameworks. This paradigm correlates with the practical knowledge that has been achieved and supports the ongoing development of new practice methods to positively influence psychiatric nursing to improve outcomes for patients who face a variety of mental health challenges that are otherwise difficult if not impossible to overcome.

A combination of factors is essential to the continued growth and success of individual contributions to the nursing profession. It is more important than ever to recognize the value of education and knowledge in supporting a strategic framework for nursing practice. In addition, there are considerable efforts that are required to improve the quality of patient care that is provided. Furthermore, the interpretive paradigm supports the utilization of prior knowledge and experience to enhance future practice objectives. It is helpful to possess knowledge that is practical and appropriate for a variety of environments, including working with patients facing mental health issues. It is also essential to apply the knowledge acquired in nursing practice to mental health nursing so that patients experience the quality of care and treatment that they deserve. In this context, nursing provides an environment for healing and growth that patients require to preserve their wellbeing.

Conclusion

Advanced practice nursing, and in particular, psychiatric and mental health nursing, require an expert level of knowledge and understanding that support the healing and recovery of patients with mental health disorders. This area of nursing practice is highly advanced and utilizes practice nursing experiences and situations to ensure that patient care and treatment in a mental health capacity is of the highest possible quality. The efforts made by nurses within this field must provide a continuous framework for professional growth that builds upon existing strategies and paradigms so that the surrounding environment is conducive to excellence in nursing practice. Therefore, nurses in this specialty area must be effective communicators, possess practical and book knowledge, and support the ongoing growth of new strategies and treatments to assist patients facing a variety of mental health issues. These efforts will support the ability to manage these issues more effectively and to develop an optimal setting for nursing practice.