Mental health issues impact our psychological and emotional well-being. An individual dealing with mental health issues constantly goes through stress and trauma. As you know, the human mind is the controller of our body. So, an unstable mind affects your professional and personal life and disrupts all your daily activities. You find it hard to focus on any particular thing. Mental health nursing holds special significance in treating the patients dealing with such issues. These jobs are also in great demand, so there is always an opportunity for qualified mental health nurses.
People who require mental health assistance suffer from various issues, including acute grief, personality disorders, drug addiction, and different psychiatric conditions. Mental health nurses have to overcome tough challenges to build a strong bond with patients suffering from mental health issues. Mental health defines our capability to cope with stress. Once we get lost in thoughts of hopelessness, our brain stops functioning properly. When it happens, it can leave long-lasting harmful effects on your physical and mental well-being or brain health. Let’s look at some mental health nursing facts to get you started.
Mental Health Nursing Careers
If you want to have a career in mental health nursing, you will find exciting roles and opportunities to explore. But it is essential to earn the relevant degree or certification to begin your career in mental health nursing. In the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, it would be better to opt for a virtual education platform. In such a situation, a post-master’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate online will be ideal. It will make you familiar with the basic concepts of mental health nursing and will help you land your dream job. The plus point is, it is online, so you don’t need to juggle to manage your work and studies. Mental health nursing requires a specific set of skills and capabilities to provide the proper care to people dealing with different mental health problems.
Nurses associated with mental health workers in hospitals, emergency centers, inpatient care centers, and community health centers. Being a mental fitness nurse, you may have to deal with people suffering from different types of mental illnesses. You also have to create plans to make recommendations for the treatment of patients according to their condition.
Communication Skills are a Must
The mental health nursing job requires sensitivity and compassion to understand a patient’s issues. Nurses need solid communication skills to interact with patients and help them overcome challenges. You also have to give verbal instructions to patients, so you need to have clarity in your communication. It allows patients to feel there is someone who cares for them. It is also essential to have the right voice tone and body language while communicating with patients. As a mental health nurse, you do not have to show your authority over patients, but you have to make them feel that you help them. Therapeutic communication is an integral part of mental health nursing. So, you need to develop problem-solving skills to help patients in the healing process.
People having mental health issues are not treated in hospitals but in the community. But nurses are required in both settings. Mental health nurses have to work with a team of occupational therapists, social workers, and psychologists, so good communication skills make things easier. They can collaborate with other people and discuss ideas and concerns efficiently.
PMH-APRN is Rising
The role of advanced practice psychiatric nurses (PMH APRNs) is growing day by day. They are given licenses and recognized by the American nurses credentialing center as a professional mental health nurse. The job titles of the mental health nurses may vary in some states, but their responsibilities and roles are the same. The PMH APRN has decision-making authority and provides a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic services. Such nurses may also be involved in research, administrative, and educational work.
Good Paying Jobs
Mental health nursing is a demanding field. Even in some ways, its demand exceeds general nursing. However, which nursing career you wish to pursue is dependent mainly on your interests and qualifications. Financially, mental health nursing is one of the most rewarding careers. According to research, the hourly pay rate of mental health nurses is around $32. But it also depends on your location and qualification. Annually, the total pay of mental health nurses ranges from $50,000 to $90,000.
In the future, the demand for mental nursing jobs is expected to increase. Professionals who want to build their careers in this field will be able to explore plenty of opportunities. Suppose they wish to be a traveling healthcare provider or opt for a typical nursing career. In that case, it requires experience of at least two years to get a high pay-scale job.
Mental health nurses may have to work in an outpatient clinic setting, hospitals, and other facilities. Every place offers certain benefits and drawbacks, so you have to keep such factors in mind while choosing. Because of the high demand for mental health nurses, they can expect to earn market-competitive compensation. They also get benefits like health insurance, vision care, dental care, and many others.
Community-based Nursing
Primary mental healthcare service is provided mainly in community settings where patients receive healthcare services in their own homes. They also receive assistance in local mental health facilities and clinics. Jobs in these types of environments have mostly predictable hours, which are closer to business hours. If you want to serve in community-based nursing, then you have to follow a predictable schedule daily. Because community-based nursing is more prevalent in mental health nursing positions than in hospitals or medical facilities, your chances of finding such work are higher.
Conclusion:
Mental health nurses are one of the most integral parts of the healthcare sector, positively contributing to the healthcare landscape. They serve society effectively by adding value to the life of people who struggle with mental health issues and suffer from them daily. Mental health nursing offers a lot of perks to professionals, but at the same time, it is the most challenging field. You always have to stay on edge to deal with new issues and help patients recover.
