Mental Illness Reflective Report

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Coming into nursing school, I was always set on wanting to work with women and delivering babies. I thought nothing could change my mind. However, after the completion of my Mental Health course and clinical, I discovered a new interest. Working with these clients in an outpatient setting gave me a sense of accomplishment that I have not felt in any other clinical. I was able to use my communication skills non-stop in this setting, and I really enjoyed interacting with these clients. Communicating and getting them to tell their stories drew me in immediately to these clients. Also, the patience and critical thinking skills that need to be developed kept me intrigued. Interestingly, this was not my first experience with a psychiatric patient. I grew up with a relative who was diagnosed with a mental condition. I recall her having episodes, in which she discussed how family portrait pictures’ eyes used to follow her, and she intermittently was having conversations with people who were not present. Unusually, she excited me with her condition. I wanted to learn and get immersed into her mind. With this clinical rotation and that experience, I felt I could bring so much to this field of nursing, such as compassion, patience, open mind and heart, advocacy, and a helpful spirit. Upon the closing of my journey from my undergraduate career at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing, I cannot see myself receiving my graduate prepared learning from any other school. I have gained so much knowledge in the four years that I have been attending UAB. Attending graduate school here will satisfy my intellectual curiosity and spark a passion in the profession. Therefore, my decision to attend this school again was unquestionable because I know I will be more than prepared to go out in a clinical setting and deal with mental health clients. The importance of advance knowledge nursing helps incorporate better patient care and outcomes for these particular clients (Zauszniewski et. al., 2012). A study was performed to show the need for current research and advanced knowledge that should be incorporated into mental health nursing instead of grounded in tradition. The study applied interventions that had been included in recent journals on mental health, and it showed a holistic approach that needs to be done for mental health patients for better outcomes (Zauszniewski et. al., 2012). In all, the study showed why evidence-based practice and more skills are needed for the practice of mental health nursing. Also, another article …show more content…
If I am accepted into the program, after the completion, I would love to work in an inpatient setting with adolescents and young adults. In the society, I know there is so much pressure on the youth, and I want to work with both male and female in this crucial time to develop, maintain their self-esteem, and dignity while dealing with a mental illness. However, this is going to be a new experience for me, so starting fresh I am opened to all different age groups and conditions that they may encounter. Importantly, I understand as a mental health nurse every day is going to be a challenge. My goal is to promote, support, and enable them to have more involvement and control over their conditions.
Seemingly, I plan on working on the mental health floor in a hospital upon graduation while earning my master’s degree. I want to get much experience as I can to advance my knowledge and contributed to the betterment of the

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