Everyday someone comes across a person with a mental illness. Because of how common mental illness is today, patients suffering from depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia need a professional that is specially trained to their needs. Not only are there doctors who specialize in mental health, there are also nurses who help treat patients who are mentally ill.

Not only is psychiatric nursing a rewarding field, it is also unique. These nurses come across patients who have holistic needs every single day, and have to treat each patient according to their individual self.

The following is an outline of the exact role that a psychiatric nurse plays in their daily routine.

Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurses are not the same as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers:

To start, psychiatric and mental health nurses are different from other mental healthcare professionals. While it’s true that all they have duties in common, the fields are quite different from one another. While psychiatrists are doctors, who can prescribe medications, psychologists are professionals with either a Ph.D. or PsyD. Social workers are professionals who hold a degree in social work and are trained to talk with and listen to the clients, and sometimes, advocate for them.

However, psychiatric and mental health nurses are the licensed nurses with a specialty in psychiatry. Just like other nurses, these nurses do not prescribe medications, expect those in an advanced RN practice in some states who can prescribe and deliver advanced treatments like psychotherapy. These nurses usually hold a master’s degree.

Generally, psychiatric nurses will evaluate, analyze, educate, and provide support to patients. But, most of the time, they will not provide counseling to the patients as a psychiatric and mental health nurse.

Psychiatric nursing can be rewarding:

Patients with mental illnesses are not different from others, who want to hear and stories and want to live a life that is worthwhile. To be a psychiatric nurse means that you can help make a mental illness patient’s life better by providing positive support. If you are able to understand that life is delicate and can learn to be open to the views of other people, you will be a better care provider and have an experience that can last for a lifetime.

When it comes to nursing, each and every field you choose can be rewarding. In the psychiatric field, it’s all about observing, self-reflecting, and introspecting. Here, you know that you are dealing with patients who have difficult diagnoses and you will have to utilize all your skill to help your patients succeed. You will help them calm down, cope, and build a reasonable relationship. Although you cannot witness the differences in a night, you will be aware that you are helping them enhance their quality of life, which can be rewarding for you and your patients.

Psychiatric and mental health nurses should understand balance:

Before entering the field, you must understand that there is a thin line between being compassionate and becoming too attached to the patient on emotional levels. You should be able to draw the line. Remember, it’s easy to invest yourself with your patients, but at the same time, you need to keep reminding yourself that you are trying to meet just their therapeutic needs. While you have to be compassionate and kind to your patients, you should not divert your focus from your primary objectives. If you let your personal feelings mask your decisions, you might be causing more harm than good.

The job as a psychiatric nurse will put you in various situations. One moment, the situation will be calm, the next moment, the situation will turn topsy-turvy. This job will definitely pose some unforeseen stresses. It takes extraordinary patience and adaptability for nurses to thrive in this field.

Determining if the field is suitable for you:

If you are wondering whether the field is suitable for you, consider the following points:

• Psychiatric patients will become aggressive and angry. You must be able to take it lightly and not to heart.
• As a mental health nurse, you will encounter almost all types of people and this poses a special challenge to you because each person will have their own ideas and beliefs. You must be open-minded to accept your patients as they are.
• To be a mental healthcare nurse means you must be able to empathize, but without sharing their emotions at physical levels. If you have some solid control over your emotions, you will make a great mental health nurse.
• Lastly, you must be able to stay calm in disturbing situations. You must be able to manage yourself under pressure by taking control over things before it gets out of your control.