Introduction
Advanced practice psychiatric nurses (APPNs) are advanced practice physicians specialized in providing multifaceted roles in mental health care. Changes in the delivery of health-care have promoted for the integration of the advanced psychiatric nurse into psychiatric practice to address a number of mental and other psychiatric health problems formerly met primarily by the psychiatrist alone (Theccanat, 2015). Also, it positions the APNs in a broader position to provide an array of psychiatric and mental health-related services not only in their health care centers but also in the wider society. In this paper, we analyze some of the critical roles played by the APPN.
Body
APPN as Mental Health Care Provider
Primarily, advanced practice psychiatric nurses play a crucial role in providing physical health assessments to patients experiencing long-term mental illnesses in mental health care setting. In essence, APPNs design a specific mental health care system to enhance the access of high standard medical care for patients with mental illnesses. The health care system and assessments are based on the provision of psychotropic medication, referral to medical specialization, and developing skills in diagnostic testing. APPNs develop strategic therapeutic procedures that relates to the psychiatric condition of the patient. Usually, these procedures take into account the established psychosocial theory and practice guidance (Fung et al., 2014).
APPN as an Addiction Counselor
Advanced practice psychiatric nurses demonstrate a significant role in responding to mental illnesses and mental health problems related to the psychoactive use of substance. Essentially, they work in addiction and substance abuse centers as addiction counselors (Madick & PMHNP, 2016). They also facilitate early detection and prevention of substance use as well as follow-up care services to patients experiencing mild and severe addiction to substance use.
APPN as a Researcher
APPN as an Advocate
Fundamentally, APPNs act as advocates to help in resolving social justice concerns as well as informal and formal structures known to contribute to psychiatric and mental related disorders or even prevent quick recovery of patients. In essence, APPNs ensure that optimal levels of mental health care are highly accessible to all. Also, they coordinate the awareness of the effects of the social determinant of mental health. Importantly, they may influence the formulation of various health policies on mental care and educate the public on efficient ways to dispel the stigma of mental health.
APPN as a Crisis Worker
Notably, numerous psychiatric health related conditions result from multiple levels of individual, family, and society crisis. Thus, APPNs provide a comprehensive range of services including bio-psychosocial assessment and mental condition assessment, especially in cases of the historical psychiatric disorder. Through this approach, they create therapeutic crisis intervention programs aimed at preventing crisis and managing patients with psychological stress and depression.
APPN as Case Manager
Psychiatric advanced practice nurses have an integral role in promoting case management in mental health care programs. Essentially, APPNs create efficient collaborative interaction with other non-mental service practitioners in providing more effective service to the patients (Fung et al., 2014). They also support highly accessible mental health care services to all patients and ensure the creation of services that demonstrate high-quality inpatient care. As a result, they promote the provision of a well-coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective mental care that is evaluated adequately through better outcome assessments. As case managers, they may conduct ongoing learning process through supervision of health care services as a crucial aspect in the professional development of APPNs (Binnie, 2011).
References
Binnie, J. (2011). Structured reflection on the clinical supervision of supervisees with and without a core mental health professional background. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 32(9), 584–588.
Fulcher, C. D. (2011). Roles of Psychiatric and Mental Health APNs. ONS Connect, 26(6), 17.
Fung, Y. L., Chan, Z., & Chien, W. T. (2014). Role performance of psychiatric nurses in advanced practice: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 21(8), 698-714.
Madick, K. & PMHNP. (2016, May 27). Becoming a psychiatric nurse. Retrieved June 15, 2016, from http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-psychiatric-nurse.html
Theccanat, S. M. (2015). Integrating psychiatric nurse practitioners into psychiatric practice settings. Psychiatric Services, 66(9), 913–915.
