Introduction
Mental health is very important for us to live a normal and happy life. But due to our hectic and busy schedules we manage to over burden ourselves with work, which leads to stress and more pressure. This causes us to develop mental health issues. Mental health issues have unfortunately seen a rise in recent years due to high inflation, downsizing, terrorism and a number of various other reasons. To get treated for any kind of psychological ailment a person needs to contact the nearest psychologist. People who need treatment for a longer period of time are usually treated by nurses who are recruited by mental health institutions to help the patients. Having appointed a nurse, the mental health institutions can keep track of the patient’s health and are also able to keep an eye on them. A trained and experienced nurse recruited by a mental health institution plays a key part in a patient’s recovery.
History
Mental health nursing is mostly required for long term patients who are facing mental ailments like schizophrenia, emotional distress after a rough divorce or bipolar disorder or dementia. Such cases require a nurse that mental health institutions can provide since the patient is at a greater risk of harming themselves. The main reason why nurses are needed in the medical profession is the fact that they help the patient not only heal but also foster a relationship with them which is a more effective method than any other to better care for them. The very first nurses in the mental health care were found in medieval Europe when special centers were established with dedicated care takers for the sole purpose of caring for the insane and long term mental patients.
Features
Education is the keystone required for a nurse to get into the mental health profession. Education needed to be a nurse in the mental health sector is more focused on how he or she can best perform in a psychiatric unit with patients and foster a relationship with them. Thus, a formal education in nursing is recommended. Many students who tend to follow a career in nursing have either a two or four year associate degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in the science of nursing respectively. Even though every person completing their formal education in nursing will get some sort of training in mental nursing, they will still need to get specialization or certification in this particular field to easily obtain the jobs in mental health care institutions. They can get these certificates from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) which is widely respected. It also helps the nurses acquire better skills to handle mental patients and get a good position.
Tips and comments
Education for becoming a mental health care nurse is not that hard to get and anyone who finds themselves willing to opt for this career can easily complete the required degree and certification and get into it. Remember that a person can also get another certification and change their nursing specialization at any time.
