Increased Demand for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care - Essay Sample

Introduction

Today, there is an increased number of people diagnosed with Psychiatric issues, this along with an aging population and an increase of preventive care advantages puts substantial strain on the nation's primary care provider's labor force. Health experts concur that the present primary care labor force is incapable to meet the growing health needs of the society. Thus, healthy policy professionals advocate for expanding the role of psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNP) as leaders in the primary care environment.

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One of the areas that need nursing practitioner transformational leadership reform is mental health service delivery. Psychiatric nurses should be at the forefront of advocating for evidence-based, patient-centered, and models that are recovery-oriented. As such, psychiatric nurses should show leadership in health care reforms that bring about extra expectations for invention and innovation in mental service delivery. PNPs’ can undertake an imperative function in health care reform vision and transformative initiative.

Overview of Two Previous Studies

A study by Holm (2010) explored the needs of psychiatric nursing leaders to enhance their leadership roles. Studies preceding Holms emphasized on the kind of care given instead of the development of the role. Holm (2010) examines research studies conducted from 1998 to 2008 through empirical studies synthesis. The study found three major themes. First, the need to clarify NP role expectations and the areas for improvement, while enhancing the impact on psychiatric patients. Second, the need to employ a nursing practice that is evidence-based to execute enhancements and organizational alterations in psychiatric. Lastly, the study established the need to use communication skills along with nurturing, empowering, and supporting other mental health nurses (Holm, 2010). Thus, the review established that mental health nurse (MHN) leaders require a range of skills to bring about changes that are enlightened and meet both the staff and patient needs. The MHN leader requires to examine the tasks that are involved in leadership to define areas that need to be improved and the expectation of the MHN leader role (Holm, 2010). Some of the areas that need development include improving patient care, teamwork reliance, and increased collaboration within the organization and community.

Another study by Sayers et al. (2015), explored the influence of leadership actions and behaviors on others. The study found that nursing educators have an important leadership role as mentors, role models, change agents, and clinical professionals. Thus, by utilizing these attributes of a leader, they ensure that the mental health labor force is confident and skilled and is focused on integrating practice and theory in the health centers supporting more holistic models of care. They need to be active in supporting students and staff in hospital settings and be visible leaders who can drive health reforms through policy changes. The discursive work describes the function and attributes of nurse educators emphasizing their leadership role in Psychiatric health nursing, which is vital for patient-oriented health care. Also, the study recommends ways to improve the leadership roles of nurse educators (Sayers, 2015).

Benefits and Challenges of Researching Mental Health Leadership

With many types of mental health issues, there is an increased need for health reforms to cater for these patients, which can only be promoted and achieved by psychiatric nursing practitioners' good leadership. Therefore, researching in this area will benefit the mental health patients through health care reforms saving lives through better support, treatment, and reduced stigma. Besides, proper leadership in the area will enhance access to high-quality mental health services through policy changes. Enhance the quality of life and the whole society by creating economic and social benefits that help the community to thrive.

The main challenger in further researching the lack of adequate studies in the area. There is also psychiatric nurse practitioners shortage in both professionals and students. Besides, the nursing labor force is aging and there is a lag in their wages, rising demand for nurses due to the aging population rising patient acuity. Also, advancement in technology and new areas for practice is a challenge in exploring this area.

Further Research

Continued research in psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in healthcare reform could strengthen, support, and empower them to lead. First, good psychiatric nurse practitioners leaders' skills will permit them to influence change by inspiring others to work towards achieving both organizational and personal goals. It requires a nurse with special skills and qualities to become a leader. Therefore, studying how nursing leadership is developed could provide new insights to produces MHN that are competent and skilled in affecting change in psychiatric health service delivery. Recommendations may entail ways of persuading the government agencies and hospital administration to undertake the necessary steps in enhancing the mental health of the population, acting as a mentor to less experienced nurses in motivating patients to follow steps in their treatment plan to maintain or regain their wellbeing. Therefore, enhancing the psychiatric nurse practitioners' leadership skills ensures that they become better leaders and nurses, which assist them in advancing their careers and help them to transition into a management position and participate in health reform by getting involved in professional organizations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many health issues in the world population today. Hence, the need for further research in developing MHN leadership skill to affect change in service delivery. Psychiatric health research can make a difference in people's lives.

References

Holm, A. L., & Severinsson, E. (2010). The role of the mental health nursing leadership. Journal of Nursing Management, 18(4), 463-471. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45099978_The_role_of_the_mental_health_nursing_leadership/citation/download

Sayers, J., Lopez, V., Howard, P. B., Escott, P., & Cleary, M. (2015). The leadership role of nurse educators in mental health nursing. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 36(9), 718-724. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2015.1033040