APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL
Last few decades, nurses were taken as any other like the staff in the hospital and clinical arena. But things have been changed with their passion and growth in this field. The knowledge and dedication they put, in the field of mental health have put them to lift above to their profession. Nurses are primary care provider but now this thing only doesn't limit their potential. They can do a lot more in this field.
Every medical organization is understaffed because of which the total care that patient needs is not fully available. When a nurse who receives a patient has Psychiatry knowledge, the real need can be understood and addressed. A patient can have mental problems and just a physical examination doesn't work. Only medicines related to the disease is not enough.
As it is said the care nurses give is also responsible for making patient healthy sooner, the behavior nurses have towards patient can really impact. When nurses are well known about mental disorders like Schizophrenia, anxiety, depressions, mood disorder, it helps to show the correct approach towards the patient.
For example, a newly appointed nurse has to look after the patient (an old woman) who has schizophrenia (which is not diagnosed). How will see work in such situation? It is said usually nurses go through burn out because of several types of patient they see who are out from their normal life. But if the same patient is seen by the nurse who has Psychiatry knowledge, definitely she will identify mental disorder too. The care she provides can help a patient to recover soon.
The trained nurse has become one of the greatest blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.
-William Osler
Many kinds of mental disorders have been categorized by DSM-5 and ICD-10 but if these things go unnoticed the patient will remain as the victim in our own society.
Let's take another example. A boy is taken to the hospital to treat his wound which he has cut his hand himself as a suicidal attempt. In this case, a nurse can cleanse the wound and put some medicines and leave the patient. Next time, the same family member with the same patient can reach the hospital with worse reason as the major problem goes unnoticed. But if the same patient is looked by a nurse who has psychiatry knowledge, he will be immediately admitted to hospital and would be referred to a psychiatrist. Also, help the patient in living productive through guidance and counseling. Also, can help in providing family therapy if needed.
Normally, when the patients are aggressive, they are injected with haloperidol to control them physically but later on it can show mental health problems. Even the patient who is taking medicine for the hypothyroid problem can show symptoms of psychological disorder after some years.If a nurse has knowledge about psychiatry she can better handle the case.
It doesn't mean every nurse has to take psychiatry course and pursue Psychiatry nurse career. What is most important is knowledge. Being updated with psychiatry knowledge can really help you and the society where you are contributing.
About Writer
Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.
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