Roles for a PMHNP Dr. Hildegard Peplau, the mother of psychiatric nursing states, the relationship between the nurse and the patient is the vehicle through which recovery and health are achieved (Stein, 2012). As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), it is important for the patient to become comfortable with their nurse because they will build the trust needed to reveal the pain or suffering that they are experiencing. Therefore the nurse will be able to try and help them recover and regain health. PMHNPs have become an important part of nursing; however, it has taken a considerable amount of time for them to become certified. The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner was first introduced in the early 1990s and did…show more content… A substantial amount of research found that neurobiological processes and mental illness coincide with one another and it is crucial to have specialized PMHNPs to provide mental health services and mental illness prevention (Drew, 2014). PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurses that focus clinical care on families, individuals, or populations across the life span that may become at risk for developing mental health problems or psychiatric illnesses (Antai-Otong et al., 2003). This paper will further discuss the importance of PMHNPs, their role in health care, plan of care, and treatment.
Assessment Role
There are various roles that PMHNPs are responsible for such as, providing the individual, family, and population with health promotion, health protection, disease infection, and treatment. The PMHNP using theory, scientific, and clinical knowledge for assessment and management for the state of health and illness accomplish these roles (Antai-Otong et al., 2003). Using these techniques are important for the PMHNP because it will help them make an accurate decision on the diagnosis for the patient. Evidence-based practice is usually essential for clinical because the PMHNP compares symptoms and signs of…show more content… Usually PMHNPs will receive patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems (Gilfedder, Barron, & Docherty, 2010). The diagnostic process also includes critical thinking skills, integration, and interpretation of the data. Without this knowledge the PMHNP would not be able to conduct an accurate diagnosis and therefore this reveals why PMHNPs are important in their line of practice. They are able to use the specialized critical thinking skills needed to properly assess and diagnose their patient. PMHNPs are able to order and interpret findings from diagnostic and laboratory tests. Identifying both typical and atypical presentations of psychiatric disorders and related health problems. Arranging appropriate evaluation and follow-up of the patient is also an important role that the PMHNP can
