Self-reflection and personal assessment

Self-Reflection

Psychiatric Mental Health in Nursing-Self-Reflection

The mental health professional will be faced with myriad unpredictable challenges as he advances in his field. Practice of mental health nursing in particular requires a balance between the theoretical constructs defining work within the field and the practical challenges which are inherently forthcoming when conducting hands on treatment. The course entitled "Psychiatric-Mental-Health-in-Nursing" would prove true to its title. However, as a stepping stone in the transition from mental health student to mental health professional, it is a fair course at best. Unfortunately, as it concerns the goal of creating balance between the theoretical and the practical aspects of the profession, the course would be too largely predicated on the former and not sufficiently focused on the latter. The result is that I feel I have received an adequate academic experience but a sub-par career development experience.

That said, it is appropriate first to identify the elements of the course which were positively received. Most particularly, this would serve as a valuable and instructional ongoing discourse regarding treatment theories. Indeed, one of the more important aspects of the course was its focus on the constant evolution of the field. The academic discourse, clinical innovation and treatment best practices which are always shifting in this field require a continuing education in the field. Indeed, when we consider that the practice's collective understanding of conditions such as bipolar disorder is always in a state of improvement and refinement, it becomes more plainly evident that there is a need to remain abreast of the most current findings. So denotes the text by Murphy (2006), which reports that 'in 2005, the APA updated its guidelines for treating someone with bipolar disorder. They detail a 'substantially expanded set of options' for treatment-based results of recent scientific studies." (p. 60)

This implicates an expansion in our ability to treat such mood disorders and reinforces one of the valuable dimensions of the course. Indeed, the course focused much of its attention on arming us with this understanding. In turn, I expect to enter into the field as a mental health professional with a greater appreciation for the need to stay connected to the broader worlds of mental health research, clinical trial findings and treatment course outcomes. Ultimately, the course has provided me with a far greater appreciation of the state of constant evolution that defines the field and the practice of mental health treatment. For the aspiring mental health professional, it is important to gain an understanding for the role that continuing education and contact with clinical findings will play in one's career.

Also to this end, it is of value to note the importance that the primary text played in the course. 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 to do these things effectively, I must regrettably state that I did not gain the full scope of experience and education that I had hoped for. 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.