Discussion Replies
Note : Reply each students in 250 – 300 words , so total of 4 replies. #1 Heidi, #2 Nicholas, #3 Gloria, #4 Juliet.
#1.
Heidi Waldorf
WALDORF_HEIDI_Roll Call_PST
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Hello all,
My name is Heidi Waldorf. My preferred pronouns are she/her. I currently live in Chula Vista, California. My cell phone number is 928-651-4649 and I live in the Pacific Standard Time (PST) zone. My experience in healthcare started in 2001, I worked as a nurse started in 2006. I worked in every department of my rural hospital and even branched out to other jobs including a surgical eye center, stand-alone urgent care, and a medical flight transport company. I like to think that my “Jill of all trades” background helps me to understand a variety of situations and care for patients of all ages. I am currently completing my Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) here at UMass Global as well as obtaining my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) education so that I can become certified and treat patients, specifically those in rural areas. My current work experience as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is limited as I am a new NP. I am currently working in a medical spa and manage their weight loss program. My reasons for pursuing these degrees are for two reasons. One, I truly love the ability to help people. Obtaining my DNP and PMHNP will help grow my knowledge and abilities as a provider, which will benefit my future patients. Two, I also love to teach. I hope to be able to obtain an instructor position in the future. Furthering my education will improve my skills, knowledge, and ability to help others learn.
My personal interests have taken a backseat to school. However, I do make sure to spend time with family whenever the opportunity is there. Sundays are normally reserved for family. We have a big breakfast, go to church, and then spend the rest of the day together. With multiple schedules and life, we feel it is important to make a day for us. After school, and after boards, I will most likely start up hobbies again. I enjoy reading and doing house projects. Last Novermber I was happy to be able to compete in a Mud Run with friends, which I highly recommend. Sometimes I feel it is important to try something new and adventerous (I attached a picture below). I have a list of things I want to do but am waiting for my time in my schedule. My goal for this course is to help increase my knowledge and ability to provide mental health care to patients of all ages. Judging from my immersion experience…I have a lot to learn!
There is much discussion among Psychiatric providers as to whether or not it is our role to provide therapy along with medication management. There are differences of opinions between PMHNP’s and PMHCNS’s. To help take APRN practice to the next level, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) collaborated with over 40 nursing organizations to address the inconsistency in APRN regulatory requirements throughout the United States. The result was the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE). The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (LACE) made for much of this discussion to take place. (LACE article is posted in Week One)
In your opinion – Should we be providing therapy, are we trained to provide therapy, did LACE change the face of PMH education and the role? Provide one APA citation.
LACE sought to unify APRN regulatory criteria nationwide to promote practice competency and uniformity (APNA, 2023). LACE aimed to change the focus that future PMHNPs will be prepared to treat patients of all ages, focusing on mental health promotion along with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness (APNA, 2023). I believe that this has changed the PMHNP education and role. With established educational and certification criteria, LACE has educated PMHNPs with the abilities needed for effective therapy, connecting their training with psychiatric patients’ comprehensive needs (APNA, 2023). This also helps establish the PMHNP role and abilities.
As we have already seen during immersion, PMHNP training involves learning about various therapy methods and includes basic knowledge and some training on different therapies. I personally believe that is beneficial for PMHNPs to provide therapy services. This may not only provide a more holistic approach to mental health care but also may improve patient results when the same clinician manages medication and therapy. This continuity of service is especially helpful in rural areas with few skilled therapists. On the other hand, I believe it is also important to note that PMHNPs have less psychotherapeutic training than psychologists or therapists who spend years learning psychotherapy (Kumar et al., 2020). Thus, while a PMHNP can provide basic therapy approaches, instances requiring specialist skills may benefit most from a referral to a dedicated therapist.
I believe that PMHNPs should practice therapy within their training and competencies. PMHNPs can integrate psychopharmacological treatment with therapy for general therapeutic needs, especially in resource-limited settings like rural areas. However, more complicated cases may be best treated with professional therapists to ensure comprehensive care, emphasizing the need for an integrated healthcare team. For those of us with hopes to work in rural areas, this may be a reason why we should also consider investing in further training in therapy after school is over.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association [APNA]. (2023, March 16).
Position statement on LACE recommendations.
Kumar, A., Kearney, A., Hoskins, K., & Iyengar, A. (2020). The role of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in improving mental and behavioral health care delivery for children and adolescents in multiple settings.
Archives of psychiatric nursing,
34(5), 275–280.
#2
Nicholas Nsiah
NSIAH_NICHOLAS_Roll Call_ and CENTRAL TIME ZONE
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Greetings, everyone. My name is Nicholas Nsiah, and I am from the vibrant city of New York. However, I recently moved to Texas, located in the Central time zone. Please feel free to contact me at 9178701975. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner with over three years of experience, I have provided comprehensive healthcare services to patients of all ages and diverse backgrounds. I am deeply passionate about mental health care and have dedicated my academic pursuits to this field. Currently, I am pursuing a doctorate with a particular focus on mental health care, with the goal of improving the well-being of my patients.
I am committed to staying up to date with the latest healthcare advancements to provide the best care possible. I believe that healthcare is a constantly evolving field, and it is incumbent upon healthcare practitioners to remain informed and knowledgeable to serve their patients effectively. When not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I am excited and eager to engage in meaningful discussions and learn from all of you during this course. My classmates’ insights and experiences will be invaluable to me in my professional journey. Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction. I look forward to collaborating with all of you and contributing meaningfully to healthcare. Pronoun (He/Him/His).
Psychiatric Practitioners and Therapy
The topic of whether psychiatric practitioners should provide therapy in addition to medication management is multifaceted. It depends on various factors, such as education, training, and patient needs. Some psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and clinical nurse specialists (PMHCNSs) may have received training in multiple therapy modalities, while others may have focused more on medication management.
The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE) has been a crucial contributor to discussions on the role of psychiatric professionals. The LACE has prompted a reassessment of the competencies required for these professions through standardizing regulatory criteria and educational expectations for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including PMHNPs and PMHCNSs.
A study by Melrose, Kavanaugh, and Gaudet (2019) found that the Consensus Model has led to greater clarity on the roles and competencies of APRNs. This has highlighted the importance of taking a holistic approach to patient care, which may include both medication management and therapy when appropriate.
However, it is essential to recognize that the decision to provide therapy as part of psychiatric treatment should be based on individual training, competency, and patient needs. Collaborating with other mental health specialists, such as qualified therapists or psychologists, may also be necessary to guarantee that the care delivered is thorough and practical.
References
Melrose, S., Kavanaugh, K., & Gaudet, T. (2019). Achieving the consensus model: Implementation of the clinical nurse specialist role. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 33(2), 60-67.
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#3.
17 hours ago
Gloria Emokpae
Emokpae_Dembo_RollCall_EST
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Introduction
Hello everyone!! My name is Dembo Glorianne Emokpae, also known as Gloria. I live in Glen Burnie, Maryland, in the Eastern Standard Time zone, and you can reach me at 571-285-9205. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with extensive experience in healthcare, currently pursuing specialization as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP). My professional journey includes impactful roles at CVS MinuteClinic in Pasadena, MD, where I am currently working as an FNP for the past 4 years. During my time as an RN, I’ve worked in various units, including Oncology, Med-Surg, and Stroke/Rehab.
My passion for mental health, increased by witnessing the intense mental strain on patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, drives me to seek advanced education. My goal is to improve patient outcomes on a larger scale by enhancing my ability to assess, diagnose, and treat various mental disorders holistically. My personal interests include tennis, traveling, spending time with family, and exploring multicultural cooking. By furthering my education, I plan to gain management skills in Lifespan Psychiatric and Mental Health Care, advocating for those struggling to be heard and providing care with compassion and empathy.
The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: LACE
The LACE (Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education) model standardizes the framework for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMHCNSs). This model approves consistent education, certification, and licensure, aligning training and practice standards across the U.S. (APRN Joint Dialogue Group Report, 2008). A key issue is the role of PMHNPs in providing therapy and whether their training is sufficient. The LACE model addresses this by combining comprehensive educational pathways that include psychotherapy techniques and management skills, preparing PMHNPs for direct care services such as therapy, diagnosis, treatment, and medication management (APRN Joint Dialogue Group Report, 2008). Kumar et al. (2020) highlight the important role of PMHNPs in serving younger populations, advocating for a holistic approach to mental health care that extends from prevention to treatment, consistent with the PMHNP’s therapeutic duties (Kumar et al., 2020).
Psychotherapy is an essential aspect of the PMH-APRN role, practiced alone or alongside medication management. Professional bodies such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) support PMH-APRNs in using psychotherapeutic modalities. Ongoing education in psychotherapy is essential for PMH-APRNs to enhance their expertise and maintain competence in various psychotherapeutic approaches (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, n.d.). In summary, the LACE model standardizes PMH education, empowering PMHNPs to effectively contribute to comprehensive mental health care and ensure consistent standards in various care settings.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (n.d.). Psychotherapy and the psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse role. Retrieved from
APRN Joint Dialogue Group Report. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & education.
Kumar, A., Kearney, A., Hoskins, K., & Iyengar, A. (2020). The role of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in improving mental and behavioral health care delivery for children and adolescents in multiple settings. Arch Psychiatr Nurs., 34(5), 275-280. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2020.07.022.
#4
Juliet Nwanna
Week 1 DB: Roll call
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Hello everyone,
My name is Juliet Nwanna (she/her); I live in Maryland, and my time zone is Eastern. My phone number is 443 257 0898. I am deeply passionate about the DNP-PMHNP program I am currently pursuing. I bring a wealth of experience as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) in complex care, with my patients primarily at rehab and senior nursing facilities. I have also gained valuable RN experience in different specialties. I started my clinical practice in a Tele/Medsurg unit, and the most recent RN specialty I did was on a busy, high-risk pregnancy/postpartum unit. I live in Maryland with my family. I enjoy traveling to fun places, gardening, reading, watching live shows, and watching comedy shows and movies. Etc.
My reason for furthering my education in this specialty is to equip myself with the knowledge and qualifications I need to provide holistic care to my patient population. I believe that every aspect of health impacts other aspects. If an individual is not well psychologically, it will also affect their physical and spiritual well-being. Hence, obtaining a degree in this specialty will enable me to become proficient in providing mental health care across the lifespan, promoting holistic well-being, and improving quality of life. What I would like to gain in this course are to acquire expertise in this specialty, knowledge in prescribing psychotropics to empower individuals with mental health disorders in managing their conditions and continue to improve and advance in my career. Most importantly, be a competent and compassionate psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner capable of addressing the complex needs of individuals with mental health disorders. And ultimately contribute to the advancement of mental health care.
I agree that psych mental health nurse practioners (PMHNPs) should provide therapy; because the therapeutic relationship PMHNPs provide to their patients is a type of therapy (Van Dusseldorp et al., 2023). The training to give therapy is usually a prerequisite for licensure and professional education for psychiatric mental health (PMH) clinicians, including licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and clinical psychologists. However, depending on their professional experience and area of expertise, the precise kind of therapy they offer and the depth of their training may differ (Johnson et al., 2022). Regarding training in Therapy, many psychiatric mental healthcare professionals undergo training in various therapeutic modalities during graduate studies (Van Dusseldorp et al., 2023). Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and other therapies may be included in this program (Johnson et al., 2022). Depending on their interest or focus, they might also undergo specialized training in particular therapeutic techniques. Licensure, accreditation, certification, and education changed the face of PMH education and the role, in some states, psychiatric mental health professionals are now required to get certified or licensed to practice and overall therapy has a positive impact on the health outcomes of this patient population (Johnson et al., 2022). Thank you class and faculty, I look forward to learning with you in the weeks to come.
Reference
Johnson, K., Bennett, C., & Rochani, H. (2022). Significant improvement of somatic symptom disorder with brief psychoeducational intervention by PMHNP in primary care.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. 28(2),171-180. doi:
10.1177/1078390320960524
Van Dusseldorp, L., Groot, M., Van Vught, A., Goossens, P., Hulshof, H., & Peters, J. (2023). How patients with severe mental illness experience care provided by psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(5), 281-290
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