Why Do We Need A Child Psychiatric Nursing Specialty?

An Integrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Interventions in Children with Mental Health Problems

We provide an integrative review of non-pharmacological interventions for children with mental health problems. A total of 262 studies were found in three databases, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria, indicating a shortage of research on the subject. The most frequently used type of intervention was cognitive-behavioural therapy-based interventions, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent problem. Non-pharmacological interventions help to improve the symptoms of childhood mental health problems, so there is a need to carry out further research on this issue in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.

Report on the APNA National Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Survey

BACKGROUND

Further exploration of the practice roles of psychiatric mental health (PMH) advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

In March of 2016, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) conducted a national survey to gather data on the demographics, practice roles, and activities of certified PMH APRNs.

DESIGN

The e-mail survey contained 46 questions consistent with minimum data set requirements of the Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers.

RESULTS

The data indicate that PMH APRNs are a clinically active workforce; the majority deliver a wide variety of mental health services including diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic mental illness, prescribing, and providing psychotherapy.

CONCLUSION

PMH APRNs are delivering care to clients dealing with a range of serious mental illnesses across the life span in a variety of roles. It will be critical to monitor the activities and outcomes of this expanding behavioral health care workforce.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Workforce Agenda: Optimizing Capabilities and Capacity to Address Workforce Demands

BACKGROUND

The mental health service delivery transformation has created models of care that generate demand for a workforce with particular competencies.

OBJECTIVE

This article develops a psychiatric mental health (PMH) nursing workforce agenda in light of demand generated by new models of care and the capacity/capabilities of the PMH RN and advanced practice nurse (APN) workforce.

DESIGN

Examine the current capacity of the PMH nursing workforce and how health care reform and related service delivery models create demand for a particular set of behavioral health workforce competencies.

RESULTS

PMH RNs and APNs have an educational background that facilitates development of competencies in screening, care coordination, leveling care, and wellness education. PMH RNs are a large workforce but the size of the PMH APN group is inadequate to meet demand.

CONCLUSION

The specialty must strategize on how to build requisite PMH RN and APN competencies for the evolving service landscape.