NURS 6003 Week 10 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties

NURS 6003 Week 10 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties

Discussion – Week 10
Examining Nursing Specialties

Making decisions, as portrayed in inspirational posters, often appears simpler than it is in reality. When it comes to choosing a specialty within the MSN program, the decision can be quite complex and critical for your future success. Your choice of specialty is a vital component of your academic and professional goals, and it’s important to make an informed decision with the help of your network and available resources.

To Prepare:

Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, considering how it aligns with your professional and academic aspirations. Think about any challenges you encountered or are currently facing while making this choice and the factors influencing your decision. Additionally, identify a professional organization associated with your chosen specialty and provide information on how to become a member.

NR526 – Clinical Questioning Essay Assignment Guidelines

By Day 3 of Week 10

Share an explanation of your selected nursing specialty within the program. Describe any obstacles you faced or are currently facing in making this decision, and outline the factors guiding your choice. Also, identify at least one professional organization linked to your chosen specialty and provide membership details.

By Day 6 of Week 10

Engage with at least two of your peers’ posts by sharing your thoughts on their chosen specialties. Offer support for their choices or provide suggestions if they are still undecided.

Click the Reply button below to access the message box and then click Submit to post your response.

RE: Discussion – Week 10

In the field of nursing, the proliferation of various specializations has opened doors for nurses to concentrate on specific areas or patient populations through the completion of specific educational requirements and the accumulation of relevant work experience. My chosen nursing specialty within the MSN program is mental health. Upon meeting the necessary educational and certification prerequisites, I aspire to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). As defined by Chapman et al. (2018), a PMHNP is a registered nurse who has undergone graduate training in mental health and performs functions akin to those of a psychiatrist, including conducting diagnostic assessments, evaluating physical health conditions, and managing psychiatric disorders.

Selecting mental health as my specialization presented certain challenges. I was apprehensive about potential stigma associated with working in mental health settings, as there are negative attitudes towards individuals with mental illnesses. Nevertheless, the obligation to provide and enhance access to mental health services was a compelling factor that influenced my decision. With the increasing prevalence of mental disorders and the unmet treatment needs of individuals with mental illnesses, I felt a professional duty and an opportunity to contribute to the improvement of mental health in the United States. As noted by Finley (2020), mental illness affects approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population aged thirteen and older each year, resulting in indirect and direct costs totaling around 467 billion dollars annually. Despite this, less than half of individuals with mental illnesses receive professional treatment, highlighting the need for improved access to mental health care.

Professional nursing organizations play a crucial role in supporting nursing practice, advocating for self-regulation, and articulating the values of the nursing profession. Active membership in one or more professional organizations is an essential aspect of a nurse’s professional development. Such membership offers valuable networking opportunities with colleagues and peers, as well as access to educational resources, including publications, conferences, webinars, and websites (Cherry et al., 2019). In the realm of mental health nursing, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a prominent professional organization. As highlighted by DeCapua (2017), the APNA represents psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurses, advocating for psychiatric nursing and mental health care through the dissemination of knowledge related to recovery-focused assessment and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders and mental illnesses. To become a member of APNA, individuals are required to download and complete the APNA membership application form and submit it along with the appropriate payment. Student membership costs 75 dollars, while regular membership costs 135 dollars (DeCapua, 2017).

References:

Chapman, S. A., Phoenix, B. J., Hahn, T. E., & Strod, D. C. (2018). Utilization and Economic Contribution of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Public Behavioral Health Services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S243-S249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.045

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Scott, E. (n.d.). Leveraging the Power of Board Leadership in Professional Nursing Organizations. JONA, 49(11), 517-519. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805

DeCapua, M. (2017). Get to Know the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. https://www.healthecareers.com/articles/career/know-american-psychiatric-nurses-association

Finley, B. A. (2020). Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Meeting Rural Mental Health Challenges. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 26(1), 97-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319886357