Mental health is a sensitive issue, previously concealed by global stigma, which has recently been highlighted as a significant problem. Research shows that over 50% of people in the U.S. alone will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. It can result from a traumatic past, use of drugs, or chronic medical conditions, resulting in issues like schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, among others.
Due to the rising demand for healthcare professionals to assist with the number of people catering to mental illnesses, psychiatric nurse practitioners are greatly valued and have high demand. However, it is not easy to perform the extensive duties and roles they are required to fulfill. They must have the proper certifications and relevant training to stay updated with modern psychiatric practices and remain ahead of the game.
This elevated demand has ensured that the job outlook for psychiatric nurse practitioners appears favorable for the next decade, especially after the decline in mental health resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics has predicted that there will be a growth of 52%, surpassing the average growth for any other profession in the country.
Qualifications For Being A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Handling mentally disturbed patients with a sensitive touch requires excellent skill and experience. Hence, it is vital to enroll in the right nursing program that can provide you with knowledge regarding various neuroscientific principles, psycho-social intervention, the application of health data in practical usage, and prescription medications.
Suppose you want to acquire a deep insight into psychopharmacology or treat patients with chronic or acute psychiatric needs. In that case, consider enrolling in an online psych NP program before starting your professional practice, as it offers added convenience if you are a working individual.
Duties Of A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners do more than diagnose mental diseases and prescribe the appropriate medication; they also provide therapy to people suffering from depression and anxiety. They must have considerable attention to detail and positivity to cater to the daily tasks their job entails.
Some of these tasks include monitoring a patient’s health by checking their food intake and sleep cycle to determine whether they can independently care for themselves. They must also instill positivity in their patients and encourage them to practice nourishing physical activities and consume proper nutrition to stay fit and healthy.
Psychiatric nurses must also shed light on how to deal with difficult situations, such as interpersonal relations or substance abuse, to help patients acquire clarity and step out of their toxic cycles.
Reasons For Positive Job Outlook
You may be inquiring why mental healthcare workers have an immensely positive job outlook and growth, surpassing so many industries with growth potential. There are numerous reasons present to provide a satisfying answer, such as:
1. Impact Of Covid-19
The primary reason is the Covid-19 pandemic that adversely affected the global population by spreading terror and depression. Staying cooped up inside while fearing contracting the virus or watching as thousands of people died was a traumatic experience for several people. Though the world continues to recover and heal, the pandemic has left its mark by leaving behind long-term adverse effects that continue to haunt people presently, forcing them to acquire psychiatric assistance.
2. Increase Of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse has always been a significant issue in various countries. It has been prevalent in both the youth and adults alike. Often, substance abuse results from dealing with past trauma or PTSD, which may also have resulted from the pandemic. Hence, this excess in the usage of substances requires a greater demand for psychiatric nurse practitioners to detoxify addicts and nudge them out of their addictive cycle.
3. Rise Of Depression Among Young Adults
Research suggests that the onslaught of technological advancements, mainly social media, has a hand in the rise of suicidal tendencies and depression among teenagers. It interrupts their sleeping patterns and keeps them cooped up inside, possibly leading to anxiety and depression. Online bullying has also been prevalent, surpassing all geographical boundaries, targeting young individuals negatively, and forcing them to consider suicide. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are mandatory to help teenagers cope with such negative feelings and embrace healthier habits outside of technology.
4. Rise in Care for Mental Health
Mental health was once a topic to be kept concealed for fear of social judgment. Years of improvement have finally lessened the stigma around mental health issues, allowing a greater number of people to seek treatment. People can now express their bottled-up frustrations and concerns regarding mental issues and acquire professional help at the hands of psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Vital Skills Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Must Have:
Considering the complexity and significance of mental health, psychiatric nurse practitioners should be well-trained and acquire the necessary skills needed to excel in the job. Primarily, they must interact with patients dealing with personal issues that may lead to dire consequences like suicide if not treated right. Hence, they must be sensitive and have the flexibility to have different approaches with various patients. A particular treatment may not produce the best results, so the nurse should be flexible enough to find alternate options to acquire the desired results.
Moreover, psychiatric nurse practitioners should display the utmost level of professionalism as people often feel timid and judged while discussing mental health issues such as panic attacks or anxiety. It can prevent them from being forthcoming or transparent, preventing the nurse from treating the patient effectively. Displaying a neutral, compassionate, and empathetic attitude can help patients feel like the nurse can be trusted, helping them open up about their problems without fear of judgment.
Nurse practitioners must be able to have a holistic understanding of the patient’s diagnosis while also being attentive to the minor details to monitor their health on a daily basis.
To Conclude
Mental health care workers like psychiatric nurse practitioners can observe massive growth in their profession in the years to come. Due to increasing mental health awareness, this profession has a highly positive outlook. It is further helped by the fact that there are numerous job titles to pick from.
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