Functions of psychiatric mental
health nurses
a. Basic level functions:
Basic level psychiatric nurses are registered
nurses ho carry out doctor’s orders. The duties are-
·
Develop nursing care plans
·
Provide direct nursing care
·
Administer medications
·
Carry out treatment strategies as orders by
physician
·
Teach family members about the patient's
disorder and needs
·
Determine the community's mental health needs
and assist with crisis intervention and counselling
·
Help plan community programs
b. Advanced level functions
Advanced psychiatric nurses have a
master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. They have the authority
to work independently. Their duties are:-
·
Assess patients using a variety of methods
·
Make a diagnosis based on the assessment
·
Develop a plan ofcare and treatment
·
Prescribe medications
·
Provide counselling
·
Provide psychotherapy
·
Conduct research
·
Serve as an administrator
·
Teach in universities
Functions of mental health nurse
in various settings
Inpatient psychiatric ward
·
Provide measures for environmental safety
·
Perform psychosocial, high risk and physical
assessment
·
Promotion of self care activities
·
Medication management
·
Assisting for somatic therapies
·
Accurately observing and documenting patient's
behaviour
·
Providing opportunities for the patient to make
his own decisions and to assume responsibilitv for his life
·
Providing feedback to the patient based on the
observations of his behaviour
·
Participation in various therapies
·
Delivering psychoeducation
·
Counselling the patient and family Ine:nbers
·
Cooperating with other professionals in various
aspects of the patient care
·
Teaching social skills and stress management strategies
·
Discharge planning and community referral and
follow-up care
·
Supervise the work of subordinates
Psychiatric outpaticnt department
·
Performing clinical assessment
·
Assisting for psychometric assessment
·
Assisting or providing psychotherapy or behaviour
therapy
·
Counselling the patient and family members
Conducting group therapy
·
Delivering psychoeducation
ECT treatment setting
·
Teaching the patient prior to ECT treatment
Preparing the patient for ECT
·
Providing care during the procedure Assisting
with post treatment
·
Providng reassurance to reduce anxiety
·
Delivering psychoeducation regarding ECT
Psychotherapy unit
Day care centres or day hospitals
Family therapy units
Child psychiatric ward
Home setting
Community mental health centers
Emergency department
Hospitals for criminal insane, jails
and prisons
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