Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Promoting Healthy Living

Psychiatric nurse practitioners play an important role in addressing mental health challenges at all levels. This means employing holistic methods in addition to any recommended medical or psychiatric treatments that may be necessary.

Lifestyle modifications are important to mental health treatment success

Some mental health conditions are largely a result of the lifestyle a patient is leading. For example, stress may be related to unreasonable expectations at work, home or school. These conditions may result from the patient expecting themselves to be capable of too much or pressure from loved ones. In many cases, pressure may be perceived rather than actual. For example, a patient may feel their spouse expects them to make a certain income and do any work necessary to make that happen, when the truth may be that their spouse does not feel that way.

Reducing workloads and obligations – or, at the very least, planning some essential rest or hobby time – is important to maintaining a good state of mind.

Changing social groups is hard but often necessary

Some behaviors can be directly related to the people that a patient spends a lot of time with socially. In some cases, a relationship with a family member may be contributing to the situation too. Psychiatric mental health nurses encourage patients to seek out friends and relatives who are positive forces in their lives. Those who enable or support negative behaviors can reduce the odds of a patient sticking to the changes they need to heal and thrive.

Those suffering from substance abuse, in particular, may have a hard time letting go of friends who are using. The stigma of being an addict can prevent them from seeking out other friends, or some may be hesitant to befriend someone struggling with addiction. Support groups are a great place for substance users to gain friends who can support each other on the road to recovery. Over time, branching out socially will become easier and help patients to gain confidence.

Stress management techniques

Everyone has triggers that can make them feel more stressed out. Recognizing and fully acknowledging these triggers is the first step towards brainstorming possible management techniques.

In some cases, triggers cannot be completely removed but, in others, they can. For example, if someone is in a toxic relationship socially or romantically then, over time, they can remove themselves from it or find ways to turn it into a healthy and positive relationship.

Good examples of triggers could be books, movies or pictures that represent something painful. Those with PTSD from being in a combat zone may be triggered by violent images, particularly those related to war, so avoiding war movies may become second nature.

Meditation, yoga, hiking or a hobby are all excellent stress managers that can help overall stress levels on a daily and long-term basis. Everyone needs an outlet to take their mind off the stress in their lives.

Holistic assessments

Taking a holistic approach to mental health is helpful because it allows the mental health nurse to gather a more complete picture of the overall health and lifestyle of their patient. In short, a holistic approach allows the whole person to be treated so they have a better chance of long-term success in combating their mental health problems.

A psychiatric mental health nurse may inquire about a patient’s hobbies, friendships and spirituality so they can consider these aspects and create a more comprehensive and inclusive treatment plan.

Of course, medical problems and addictions are top priorities to consider, but if those issues are to be addressed, then the patient needs the opportunity to heal on every level.

Mental health nurses help patients navigate major life changes

Mental health issues and addiction can lead to a lot of instability and dysfunction in the lives of a patient and their family. Mental health nurses help patients gain access to services and support groups that can help them gain a steadier footing when it comes to personal relationships, employment, housing and other necessities. Mental health nurses can help connect patients to social services that can help them stick to a rehabilitation plan.

Psychiatric mental health nurses are in demand

More people than ever before are in need of mental health services. This is particularly true in rural areas where access is limited due to distance and lower population levels.

Nurses who want to take their career to the next level should strongly consider earning an advanced degree from a good institution such as Rockhurst University that allows them to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The duties of a PMHNP include assessing and diagnosing, developing treatment plans, consulting with other medical professionals for comprehensive treatment, and prescribing medications. Click here to find out more about the various PMHNP duties and Rockhurst’s PMHNP degree program.

Rockhurst University’s online MSN-PMHNP degree allows working nurses the opportunity to earn their degree in just six semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time. This means that in as little as two years you can take the next step in your career and start helping more than one in five adults with a diagnosable mental health disorder. Throughout their lifetime it is estimated that around 46% of adults will experience a mental health issue that a professional should treat.

Rockhurst’s comprehensive curriculum includes clinical placement services so you can qualify for your nurse practitioner license as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Psychiatric nurse practitioners promote healthy living in their patients in many different ways. By taking a holistic approach to mental health, patients receive a higher level of care and have a greater chance of long-term happiness and success.

Mental health care is vital to a healthy society. Now is a crucial time for more people to choose careers in mental health nursing and care. Online degree programs make it possible for working adults to pursue the training and degrees they need.