Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Evidence-Based Concepts, Skills, and Practices would prove an excellent and exhaustive source. Essentially a handbook that will be of value not just to a student in the field but also to a practicing professional, the reference offers an actionable framework through which one can channel one's own experiences and needs. In this regard, the text book is perhaps the most effective instrument that we have used in the course as a mode of improving professional development goals. The text speaks from the presumption that we have already begun to engage certain treatment experiences and works from that gathering knowledge to build a professional foundation in each individual student. However, I would find with some disappointment that the clinical aspects of this course did not match the sentiment of the text. I should say that my expectations have been somewhat informed by prior experiences in the educational context which seemed to focus more directly on the development of actionable professional skills. Indeed, prior clinical rotations seem to have taken a greater interest in allowing us to practice skills that would be applied in a professional setting.

For instance, we were not permitted to conduct documentation of our practice interactions nor were we allowed to administer medications. As one who aspires to work as a mental health nurse who is endowed with the ability...

The course material seemed to provide an adequate foundation for the implementation of these emerging skills. Therefore, it was frustrating to engage in clinical rotations which did not allow us to apply, evaluation and refine what will ultimately be critical mental health nursing skills.
On a positive note, the course material and the focus of the course have only further stimulated my desire to serve as a nursing professional in the field of mental health. Our research denotes that a greater many opportunities lay ahead of me to help those suffering from some of the most severe, debilitating and mysterious of psychological disorders. Though the course was disappointing from an experiential perspective, its scholarly content was useful in building an already solid body of knowledge within the field. That said, in light of the dimensions of professional development which were not adequately covered by the course, I eagerly anticipate the next course to create such an opportunity.

Works Cited:

Mohr, W.K. (2008). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Evidence-Based Concepts, Skills and Practices. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Seventh edition.

Murphy, K. (2006). Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar Disorder. Nursing, 36(10).