Plan For The Psychiatric Nurse Professional Development Essay

Plan For The Psychiatric Nurse Professional Development Essay

Plan For The Psychiatric Nurse Professional Development Essay

The nursing profession requires continuous professional development to adapt to the evolving healthcare changes to provide high-quality care and it is thus important to develop a professional development plan as a Baccalaureate prepared nurse, focusing on certifications, advanced education, research, leadership development to keep up with the ever-evolving trends in healthcare (King et al., 2021). This proposed 5-year professional development plan seeks to provide a structured pathway for me as a baccalaureate-prepared nurse to enhance my skills, knowledge, and professional contributions. It aims to support the advancement of the nursing profession by fostering continuous growth and the application of evidence-based practices in healthcare settings.

Describe The Role Of The BSN Nurse In Psychiatry Practice

Psychiatric nursing plays a critical role in promoting mental health, preventing psychiatric disorders, and providing care for individuals with mental illnesses. The Baccalaureate prepared psychiatric nurse brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, and competencies to this specialized area of nursing practice. The Baccalaureate degree in nursing provides a solid educational foundation for psychiatric nursing practice. Research Sun et al. (2023) emphasizes the importance of BSN education in developing critical thinking abilities, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice skills. The enhanced understanding of psychological and social sciences equips BSN nurses with a holistic perspective necessary for comprehensive psychiatric care.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Baccalaureate prepared psychiatric nurse is conducting thorough psychiatric assessments and formulating accurate diagnoses. BSN nurses are trained to use standardized assessment tools and evidence-based guidelines to evaluate patients’ mental health status (Tudhope, 2019). This comprehensive assessment process enables the nurse to identify mental health disorders, establish therapeutic relationships, and develop individualized care plans. Additionally, BSN nurses utilize a range of therapeutic interventions to support individuals with mental health conditions through implementing evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation (Tudhope, 2019). These interventions facilitate symptom management, promote recovery, and enhance patients’ overall well-being.

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The Baccalaureate prepared psychiatric nurse works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic care. Collaboration with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals is crucial in developing comprehensive treatment plans. BSN nurses contribute their expertise and collaborate with colleagues to address the complex biopsychosocial needs of patients. The BSN nurse in psychiatric practice also upholds ethical and legal standards to protect the rights and well-being of individuals with mental illnesses. They adhere to professional codes of ethics, maintain patient confidentiality, and advocate for patient autonomy (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2023). Ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment while respecting patients’ rights is a fundamental aspect of the Baccalaureate prepared psychiatric nurse’s role.

Hildegard Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations can be incorporated into the role of a psychiatric nurse. According to Peplau, nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal process that involves the nurse developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient to facilitate their psychological growth and well-being. By integrating Peplau’s theory, the Baccalaureate prepared psychiatric nurse can focus on establishing a therapeutic alliance, utilizing effective communication skills, and promoting patient engagement and empowerment(Black, 2019). This theory supports the path of the psychiatric nurse by emphasizing the importance of the nurse-patient relationship in psychiatric care, enhancing the nurse’s ability to provide holistic and patient-centered care, and facilitating positive outcomes in mental healthcare.

Develop a Professional Development Plan for A Psychiatric Nurse       

The role of a psychiatric nurse is vital in providing comprehensive mental health care and promoting the well-being of individuals with mental illnesses. This professional development plan outlines the steps I should take to enhance my knowledge and skills in psychiatric nursing practice. It incorporates the Departmental Education Competencies (DECs) and the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice to guide my professional growth as well as certifications, further coursework, and continuing education courses relevant to psychiatric nursing.

The first step in the professional development plan is to familiarize oneself with the DECs and Essentials. The DECs outline the specific competencies required for psychiatric nursing practice, including assessment, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice (Lundquist et al., 2022). The Essentials provide a broader framework for professional nursing education, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making. Understanding these guidelines will provide a foundation for further development in psychiatric nursing.

Obtaining certifications for psychiatric nursing will demonstrate expertise and enhance professional credibility. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification for registered nurses (Phoenix, 2019). This certification validates specialized knowledge and skills in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. Additionally, Phoenix (2019) highlights the positive impact of certification on patient outcomes, nursing practice, and career advancement in psychiatric nursing.

To deepen knowledge and skills in psychiatric nursing, pursuing further education through advanced degree programs and specialized coursework is necessary. Pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on psychiatric-mental health nursing or a post-masters certificate in psychiatric nursing can provide advanced training in evidence-based practice, leadership, and specialized areas of psychiatric care.  Additionally, engaging in continuing education opportunities is essential for staying current with advancements in psychiatric nursing practice. Participating in conferences, workshops, and seminars focused on topics such as therapeutic interventions, trauma-informed care, and mental health assessment can expand knowledge and improve clinical skills. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) offers various continuing education resources specifically designed for psychiatric nurses, including online courses and webinars (American psychiatric nurses association, 2023). Continuous learning enables nurses to provide evidence-based, high-quality care to individuals with mental health conditions.

My 5-Year Professional Development Plan

Year 1: During the first year, the focus is on building a strong foundation in psychiatric nursing by obtaining the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This certification validates specialized knowledge and skills in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. I will also engage in continuing education opportunities by attending psychiatric nursing conferences and workshops to stay updated on current practices and evidence-based interventions.

Year 2: I will pursue further education by enrolling in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a specialization in psychiatric-mental health nursing. This advanced degree will provide in-depth knowledge in areas such as psychopharmacology, therapeutic interventions, and advanced assessment techniques. I will also engage in clinical rotations and practicum experiences in psychiatric settings to gain hands-on experience and enhance my clinical skills.

Year 3: I will focus on research and evidence-based practice. Engaging in research projects or collaborating with faculty and mentors will allow me to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in psychiatric nursing and enhance my understanding of the latest advancements in the field.

Year 4: I will explore leadership and advocacy roles within the field of psychiatric nursing by seeking opportunities to serve on professional committees, contribute to policy development, and engage in community initiatives related to mental health. These experiences will enhance my leadership skills, broaden my understanding of healthcare systems, and promote advocacy for individuals with mental health conditions.

Year 5: In my final year, I will focus on sharing knowledge and mentoring. This can be achieved by seeking opportunities to present at conferences, publish research findings and scholarly articles, and engage in teaching. These activities will allow me to contribute to the dissemination of best practices, inspire future psychiatric nurses, and foster a culture of continuous learning within the profession.

Conclusion

The professional development plan for a psychiatric nurse involves aligning with the DECs and Essentials, obtaining certifications in psychiatric nursing, pursuing further education through advanced degree programs and specialized coursework, and engaging in continuing education opportunities. Following this plan will support my professional growth in knowledge, skills, and competence in providing comprehensive mental health care. By continually expanding their expertise in psychiatric nursing, nurses can make a positive impact on patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of the psychiatric nursing profession.

 References

American psychiatric nurses association. (2023). Welcome to Your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Community. APNA; American Psychiatric Nurses Association. https://www.apna.org/

Black, B. (2019). Professional nursing E-book: Concepts & challenges (9th ed.). Saunders.

King, R., Taylor, B., Talpur, A., Jackson, C., Manley, K., Ashby, N., Tod, A., Ryan, T., Wood, E., Senek, M., & Robertson, S. (2021). Factors that optimize the impact of continuing professional development in nursing: A rapid evidence review. Nurse Education Today, 98(104652), 104652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104652

Lundquist, R. S., Drude, K., & Hilty, D. (2022). Interprofessional Education and Teamwork. In Graduate Medical Education in Psychiatry (pp. 231–249). Springer International Publishing.

Phoenix, B. J. (2019). The current psychiatric mental health registered nurse workforce. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318810417

Sun, Y., Yin, Y., Wang, J., Ding, Z., Wang, D., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., & Wang, Y. (2023). Critical thinking abilities among newly graduated nurses: A cross-sectional survey study in China. Nursing Open, 10(3), 1383–1392. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1388

Tudhope, J. K. (2019). Development and design of a competency-based curriculum for an integrated community psychiatry nurse practitioner fellowship program. Kent State University.

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Assignment:

Develop a written 5-year plan for the professional development required in your future role of Baccalaureate prepared nurse. Focus on HOW you will get to where you want to be in 5 years (certifications, extra coursework or schooling…) Discuss how the skills and knowledge you will acquire will enhance the profession of nursing. You should incorporate a Nursing Theorist whose perspective and framework will support critical thinking and clinical judgment as it applies to your personal goals as a nurse.

In general:

Introduce the focus of the paper

Describe the role of the BSN nurse in practice (the area of nursing you foresee entering or developing into).

Incorporate a guiding Nursing Theorist into this description and how that theory will support your path (3-5 sentences).

Develop a professional development plan that incorporates the DECs and the Essentials into your practice.

Professional development includes certifications, further school coursework, and potential CEU courses you think might apply to develop yourself professionally in the role or path you would like to take.

Provide evidence from nursing literature to support your plan (i.e. if you want to be a CRNA, there are required steps in the literature to support that path, etc.)

Provide a summary/closing paragraph (this should always be done with your papers)

Tips for success:

The paper should be approximately 2-4 pages, professionally written in APA format.

It is beneficial to outline this paper first to ensure you address all of the required items (headings and sub-headings are encourage to organize your paper). Please closely refer to the Professional Development Plan Grading Rubric for outline guidance.

Rubric

Professional Development Plan Rubric

Professional Development Plan Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction of paper topic

5 pts
Full Marks

Fully introduces the topic of the paper to the reader and briefly describes the flow of the paper.

3 pts
Acceptable

Introduces the paper topic to the reader, but gives no preview detail to the rest of the paper.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBSN Role description
Describes the role of the BSN nurse in practice

5 pts
Full Marks

Fully describes the role of the BSN in today’s healthcare practice setting. Relates it to an area the writer is already or hopes to be employed in.

3 pts
Acceptable

Provides general description of the role of a BSN nurse. Does not clearly relate to a future or current endeavor as a BSN nurse.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeNursing Theorist
Incorporates a guiding Nursing Theorist

5 pts
Full Marks

Clearly describes a Nursing Theorist and describes how this theorist guides or will guide the writer’s approach to nursing practice.

3 pts
Acceptable

Indicates a Nursing Theorist, but does not fully describe the guiding attributes that theorist will provide for the writer’s future practice as a nurse.

0 pts
No Marks

No Nursing Theorist is indicated, or does not provide enough supportive thought for why that theorist was chosen.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProfessional Development Plan
Provides a detailed professional development plan that incorporates the DECs and AACN Essentials into practice.

15 pts
Full Marks

Clearly outlines a detailed plan for professional development which incorporates necessary certifications, coursework, potential conferences applicable to the specialty chosen, and any other relevant activities which would contribute to excellent nursing practice.

12 pts
Acceptable

Outlines a plan for professional development. Provides evidence of consideration for necessary certifications, coursework, potential conferences or other relevant activities that would support excellent nursing practice in a chosen specialty.

8 pts
Needs Improvement

Provides some indication of thought into future nursing professional development needs, but lacks discernible details or clear planning.

0 pts
Unacceptable

Does not address a professional development plan.

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLiterature Support
Provides evidence from nursing literature to support Professional plan details.

5 pts
Full Marks

Provides evidence from scholarly nursing literature which supports the Professional development plan.

0 pts
No Marks

Does not supply supportive literature from nursing scholarly works to support the Professional development plan.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStylistics of paper
Grammar, spelling, and punctuation

10 pts
Full Marks

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are acceptable for a baccalaureate-level writer. There are no errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

7 pts
Acceptable

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are acceptable for a baccalaureate-level writer. There are a few minor errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that do not detract from the meaning.

4 pts
Needs Improvement

There are major errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that do not detract from the meaning.

0 pts
No Marks

Unacceptable level of attention to stylistics of paper expected from a baccalaureate-level writer.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Elements

5 pts
Full Marks

The paper meets all expected aspects of APA formatting for in-text citations, references, and paper format.

3 pts
Acceptable

The paper contains minor APA errors in in-text citations, references, or paper format.

1 pts
Needs Improvement

There are significant errors in APA formatting for in-text citations, references, or paper formatting. However, some attempt was made.

0 pts
No Marks

5 pts

Total Points: 50

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